Strike actions are taking place today, May 1, 2026, in the context of the Labour Day, with the participation of the ADEDY, the General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE), the Athens Labour Centre and PAME.
The strike rally of ADEDY, the General Confederation of Trade Unions and the Athens Labour Centre is scheduled for 11:00 at Claythmonos Square, while PAME calls for a strike rally at 10:30 at Syntagma.
Similar mobilisations will take place in Thessaloniki, as well as in other cities in Greece.
PME will organise a demonstration at 10:00 p.m. on Friday at the Syntagma Square in Thessaloniki.
AΔEDY said in a statement that the need for collective action and struggle is more urgent than ever.
“We continue on the path of major mobilizations, demanding justice, democracy and a state that serves society and not the interests of the few.
We commemorate the struggles and sacrifices of the working class from Chicago in 1886 to the present day and continue to demand decent wages, stable work, social justice and democracy in the workplace,”
At the same time, ADEDY demands the following:
“- Restoration of the 13th and 14th wages.
– Real increases in wages for a decent living through Collective Labour Agreements.
– Abolition of the 2% unemployment levy.
– Abolition of the 2% unemployment levy.
– Unfreezing the 2016-2017 biennial wage scales.
– Unfreezing the 2016-2017 wage scales.
– Increase of the tax-free threshold to 12,000 euros.
>- Increase of the tax-free threshold to 12,000 euros.
– Extension and strengthening of the allowance for hazardous and unhealthy work.
– Extension and strengthening of the allowance for hazardous and unhealthy work.
– Massive recruitment of permanent staff in the public sector, especially in health, education and social security.
– Massive recruitment of permanent staff in the public sector, especially in health, education and social security.
– Substantial strengthening of the NHS with generous funding.
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– Abolition of anti-labour laws.
– Repeal of anti-labour laws.
– Protection of public goods and no to privatisation.”
– Protection of public goods and no to privatisation.
Also, the GSEE, implementing the decision of its congress, has called a 24-hour general strike today, Friday, May 1, and calls on all workers to participate en masse in strike mobilizations across the country.
“May Day 2026 is a reminder that nothing is a given without collective demand.
We are striking not just for what has been lost, but for what must be won.
We are striking to make the voice of labour heard today and to shape tomorrow in terms of justice,” the Confederation notes.
According to a statement, the GSEE puts the focus of this year’s May Day:
“- the further improvement of the framework of free collective bargaining, aiming at substantial wage increases,
– the restoration of the National General Collective Labour Agreement in the hands of the social partners,
– addressing the housing crisis and the price crisis,
– ensuring health and safety in every workplace,
– the protection of public assets,
– the restoration of transparency, meritocracy and equality in every aspect of public life; and
– addressing widening economic, social and educational inequalities”.
The Athens Labour Centre stresses that May Day is not just a day of remembrance, it is a day of struggle. “A living link that unites the sacrifices and conquests of yesterday with the demands of today. From the dead of Chicago to the struggles of Thessaloniki, the historical legacy of the working class is the compass for the continuation of the collective struggle for social justice, equality and dignity.”
“We are inspired by the great class struggles of the past and pledge in the struggles of the future to do everything in our power to ensure that the working class stands up to its historic mission. To strengthen the struggle, to clash with the power of capital, to finally break the chains of exploitation of man by man and to open the way for a society without poverty, wars, injustice and oppression”, PAME stresses, among other things.
