The 24-hour nationwide Greek train strike planned by the Union of Traction Personnel for Thursday, Oct. 10, has been declared illegal by a court ruling. As a result, the passenger train services are expected to run normally today, despite the strike announcement.
Privately-owned railway Hellenic Train, a fully owned subsidiary of Italy’s FS that operates passenger and freight routes on railroad lines across Greece, had filed a legal appeal against the strike to prevent it from taking place.
The train company had made a similar appeal to prevent another strike announced by workers’ unions, which eventually took place as the court deemed it legal.
The key demands of the industrial action that was to take place today include upgrading safety measures with the immediate and comprehensive operation of remote control and signaling across the entire network to prevent another tragic train accident like the one in Tempi, which claimed the lives of workers and passengers.
Additionally, workers stress the necessity of the completion of infrastructure projects to ensure the smooth and safe operation of trains, as well as the continuous maintenance of the railway network which is crucial for the safe operation of the lines and reducing accident risks.
The union also demands the clearing of the network from natural obstacles such as tree trunks and other hazards that pose a serious risk to workers and passengers, as well as fencing off the railway infrastructure to prevent easy access by pedestrians, particularly in urban areas.
Finally, investing in new rolling stock, especially on suburban lines, to ensure the quality and safety of transportation is also key for the workers’ union.
