Greek transport workers and doctors in public hospitals will join seamen in a 24-hour strike on Friday, as labor unions escalate their opposition to a raft of proposed reforms going through the country’s parliament.
The reforms contained in a 400-article, 1,326-page bill are needed for the country to complete a third review of its bailout program.
Staff at the Athens Metro and tram services will walk out in protest over what they call the “handing over of Greek public utilities to the country’s creditors”.
They claim the reforms will also limit the right to strike and will “destroy the last hopes for a life of dignity for working-class people”.
Proposed changes to the way industrial action is to be balloted has also seen vocal and angry protests at Greece’s Labour Ministry headquarters and at the residence of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras this week.
Doctors in public hospitals will also join the industrial action on Friday.
The Pan-Hellenic Seamen’s Federation (PNO) said its members were striking over “cuts and regulations of the third memorandum as a result of the bailout requirements”.
Their action will see all ferries in Greece docked for 24 hours.
In addition, civil service unions and air traffic controllers have also announced a three-hour stoppage between noon and 3 p.m. local time on Monday, when the controversial bill is likely to be voted on by parliament.
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