Strikes have recently become the method of achieving any improvement in many Western European countries. Trade unions in various fields decide for themselves whether they will participate in strikes and when they should start.
On February 27, a nationwide strike started in Athens by the public sector union ADEDY (the largest union of civil servants in Greece). The strike lasted 48 hours.
On this day, more than 200 cabs went on strike. The goal of the strike for cab drivers is to achieve a reduction in taxes, as well as to allow free passage of cabs with passengers on dedicated lanes for buses and trolleybuses. There is also a demand to abolish “illegal” applications that allow citizens to use personal vehicles for transportation as cabs, not to pay taxes for this, and to take the money received abroad.
On February 28, the subway did not work, a large number of flights were canceled, as air traffic controllers also went on strike; ferries were standing in ports. A number of sectoral trade unions and the Federation of Railway Workers also went on strike. Even teachers and health workers took part in the strike.
Another reason for the strike was the anniversary of a terrible tragedy: on February 28, 2023, an intercity train collided head-on with a freight train. By mistake, the trains were put on the same line but in different directions. In the collision, 2 cars out of 4 caught fire and people had to jump out the windows to escape. 57 people died and 85 were injured.
This railroad disaster was the deadliest in the country. ADEDY states that those responsible for this tragedy have never been punished.
Workers’ unions in countries such as Germany, Britain, France and Spain are currently preparing for strikes across Europe. All of these countries have almost identical goals: higher wages and lower taxes.
