Greece’s two largest union federations, GSEE and ADEDY have announced a nationwide 24-hour strike set to take place on Wednesday, April 9, affecting both the public and private sectors expected to significantly disrupt services across key industries.
Air traffic controllers, seafarers, teachers, municipal workers, and tourism employees are among those joining the walkout, demanding better wages, collective bargaining rights, and urgent solutions to the housing crisis and rising cost of living.
The disruption to air travel will be considerable, as the Greek Air Traffic Controllers Association will halt operations from midnight to midnight. Only a narrow set of flights will be allowed during the strike window: those overflying Athens’ airspace, transporting heads of state or government, conducting military missions or scheduled exercises, as well as flights related to medical emergencies, humanitarian aid, or search and rescue operations.
On the seas, ferry services will come to a complete standstill. The Panhellenic Seamen’s Federation confirmed its full participation, grounding all categories of vessels throughout Greek waters. The union echoed concerns about inflation and unaffordable housing, also calling for renewed collective negotiations.
Workers in Greece’s critical food service and tourism industries have also pledged to strike. The national federation representing employees in these sectors call for a gathering at Klafthmonos Square in central Athens at 11:00 a.m., with parallel rallies planned across the country.
Municipal workers will also join the strike, with their union calling for broad public participation. They accuse the government of worsening inequality, ignoring housing and wage issues, and pushing privatization.
Citing the Tempi train disaster as a symbol of broader failures, they warn of a society “on the brink of explosion.” A central protest is planned for 10:30 a.m. outside the Finance Ministry in Syntagma Square.
The Athens Labor Center has also joined the call for strike action, underscoring the demand for decent living conditions and meaningful wage increases that reflect the realities of soaring prices and skyrocketing rents.
As of now, there is no official announcement on whether workers in public transport systems will join the strike, leaving questions about the availability of buses, metro, and trams on the day.
