Greece’s train unions announced a 24-hour nationwide strike for Thursday, Sept. 26, in demand of the immediate hiring of new staff, the replacement of outdated rolling stock with modern trains as well as the completion of infrastructure projects and improvements in transportation safety within the railway network.
In an announcement the unions justify this move pointing out that the tragic Tempi train accident which cost the lives of 57 people, including 11 train employees, highlighted the longstanding problems that railway workers face and the neglect of the railway system by the state.
Furthermore, unions, representing employees of private operator Hellenic Train who had submitted a series of proposals for the safety of both staff and passengers four months ago, announced a suspension of industrial action in order to give the new management time to address these issues.
The unions’ announcement also claims that the government has admitted that railway projects and systems related to the safe transport of passengers and goods in Greece have been greatly delayed.
