May Day in Europe and Greece

Demonstrators take to the streets of European cities today. At the same time, each state has its own slogans, although there are common ones among them – against the rising cost of living, insecurity in transport, and for the observance of the basic rights of workers.

In France, protest demonstrations are expected in 300 cities. French unions are talking about one and a half million participants, including airport workers and airline employees – about a third of flights have been canceled today. The main slogans concern the scandalous pension reform, which caused many days of protests across the country. Twelve thousand police officers are called upon to protect law and order in the country on May 1, of which 5 thousand – in the capital. The decision to use drones to track protests sparked controversy among unions.

Teachers and educators will take to the streets of Portuguese cities today, continuing a series of months-long protests and strikes. Among the main demands are higher salaries in line with inflation, the right to decent housing, the restoration of seniority and guarantees of career growth.

In the May Day columns in Greece, as expected, the main place will be occupied by students. They have been actively involved in protests over the past two months, after the February train crash that claimed 57 lives. Most of the victims are students of Thessaloniki and Athens. It is assumed that the main slogans of the May Day demonstrators in Greece will be the demand for public investment in transport infrastructure and the punishment of those responsible for this railway accident.

Seafarers’ unions announced a 24-hour nationwide strike on all types of ships. It will start at 00:01 on Monday May 1 and end at 24:00, at midnight on the same day. Seafarers’ unions will take part in strike rallies in Piraeus at 11:00 am, and picket groups of seafarers will be present in other ports of the country.

The strike was announced by public transport workers in Athens. Buses and trolleybuses in Athens will take part in Labor Day mobilizations, with stops at the beginning and end of the day shift. According to the statements of their trade unions, buses and trolleybuses will not run on Monday May 1 from the beginning of the shift until 09:00 and from 21:00 until the end of the shift. Buses and trolleybuses will operate from 9:00 to 21:00. It is expected that the traffic will be restored after 10:00, and the traffic stop will begin from 20:00. KTEL buses will operate as usual. Metro lines 1, 2 and 3, including the city’s ISAP train and trams, will go on strike for 24 hours.

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