Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis blasted the country’s trade unionists who had organized Wednesday’s general strike, saying that they represent only a tiny minority.
“Once again, few are on strike and many are in distress,” Mitsotakis posted on Twitter as public transport throughout the country came to a standstill.
The labor unions have called the strike to protest the government’s plan to change some rules on the calling of strikes, to allow changes to collective wage pacts and to set up a registry for unions.
Ships stayed docked in port, trains were pulled out of service and bank services were disrupted throughout Greece this morning. Protesting workers, pensioners and the unemployed, led by the communist-led trade union PAME, marched through the streets of Athens.
In his message, Mitsotakis referred to the leaders of the trade union movement as “professional trade unionists” who “have lost touch with the world of work and fear accountability and more democracy in their decision-making.”
The strike shut down the Athens metro, the ISAP electric railway, the Proastiakos suburban railway and the national rail network. Ferries remained in their ports of origin.
Other trade unions, including the Pan-Hellenic Seamen’s Federation (PNO), called for a 24-hour strike in all ship categories. Greek journalists also joined Wednesday’s 24-hour nationwide strike.
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