A nationwide 48 hour strike planned for 19 and 20 October 2011 is expected to cause widespread inconvenience for travellers in Greece. More significantly the strikes will be accompanied by large rallies and protests. In the past these have degenerated into violent confrontations with government authorities - and we mean tear gas, petrol bombs, rocks, baton charges and possibly live rounds!
Who's Striking
The general strike coincides with a crucial parliamentary vote on austerity measures designed to save the Greek economy from bankruptcy.
There have been weeks of rolling transit strikes and sit-ins at government offices, but this strike is expected to "paralyse" the nation.
- Greek air traffic controllers will strike from 00.01 Wednesday until 24.00 Thursday local time.
- All ferries will cease operations from 6am Monday 17 October to 6am Wednesday 19 October. (and it will take a while to get back to normal.)
- Telecommunications will be joining in on 19 Oct.
- Bank employees are joining the strike, so bring cash because ATMs will be empty pretty quickly.
- Proastiakos suburban railway will also be affected.
Where To Avoid
In Athens the protests are usually centred on Syntagma (Constitution) Square, and the downtown financial/government district.
This strike and protest is expected to be the biggest since the June general strike - which erupted into days of fighting between police and anti-government protesters. Watch this clip of the last brouhaha and you'll see why it is a good idea to stay well clear.
(Click here for a live version of this map - so you can see where you're staying)
Other Trouble Spots
It's not just Greece, the rapidly intensifying Occupy Wall Street protests have migrated out of Manhattan and spread over to the EU and elsewhere.
Rallies have rippled across the globe into more than 900 cities - and while most of the protests have been peaceful, some have escalated into clashes between police and demonstrators.
Some rallies, like this one in Madrid Spain, have been monumental in scale. Others, like this one in Rome have been utterly chaotic - dozens have been injured as a result of the demonstrations.
In New York, where the protests originated, thousands of people still continue to camp near the city's financial district. Marches and demonstrations have continued after a failed effort by the city to quash the camp - and with over $300,000 in donations for the effort, it looks like the protest could be sustained for quite some time.
Strikes, Strikes and More Strikes
Here's a list of impending industrial action throughout Europe as published on the website easytravelreport.com
France
Air France flight attendants to strike Saturday
29 October to Wednesday 2 November.Italy
Friday, October 21: 8 hour rail strike from 9am to 5pm.
November 7, 2011 Airport staff Linate and Malpensa.
4 hours only from 10am to 2pm.Rail strike, 9pm, Saturday, 26 November, 2011. 24 hours, ending 9pm Sunday evening.
Local public transport strike, 24 hours,
November 26, 2011.Portugal
Unions demonstrations and labor action planned for 20-27 October.
Rail strike planned 21 October, 2 hrs only. If workers are on lunch then the strike is only an hour!
Israel
general strike 1 November, 2011 will effect ports (cruise ships) airports.
UK
Best bring toilet seat cover and own toilet paper. Virgin Trains West Coast Main Line cleaners will strike October 28, the cleaners will refuse to empty train effluent tanks, or refill fresh-water tanks, between 6pm on November 4 and 5.59pm on November 6.
What To Do
If you choose to go to a destination under threat of strike action here are some tips on avoiding trouble or coping with it if it happens:
Before You Go
Keep an eye on the news, strike dates are announced by union bosses several weeks in advance, try to arrange your travel around those dates.
Check back here. We’ll keep you abreast of developments through our news and twitter feeds.
Check your government’s travel advice regularly.
Speak to your airline or travel provider about what arrangements they have in place should there be a strike or disruption.
While You’re There
All of the above, plus:
- Avoid all protests. Hundreds of thousands of people waving flags and banners is a spectacular sight, you may even sympathise with their cause, but stay away. The peaceful rallies are unpredictable and have a habit of turning violent very quickly. Protesters don’t wear a uniform, you look like one of them, the police won’t discriminate. If you deliberately put yourself in harm’s way and get injured it’s unlikely your travel insurer will look favourably on your claim.
However, if you stumble on a protest, or are in some way caught in the middle of a riot you didn’t know was happening, you should be covered for any loss or injury.
If a strike shuts down all public transport or prevents you from getting to, or leaving your holiday destination, speak to your travel provider. They should be able to make alternative arrangements for you. It’s their responsibility to provide you with the service you’ve paid for. British travellers are covered by a compulsory scheme that pays for this eventuality. If all else fails, call your travel insurer, you’ll be able to discuss your options with someone.
If All Else Fails
If the economic situation doesn’t improve it’s quite likely some tourism business will fail. If that happens try to rearrange the service or get a refund through your travel provider, or contact the consumer protection authority in that country.
Unfortunately travel insurance generally doesn’t cover business failure… no insurer could investigate every airline, hostel, tour guide and deck chair rental business to make sure they are financially solvent all the time.
Just remember larger well-established businesses are more likely to be able to withstand a downturn – go with the big names.
If you are injured
If you are injured or become ill please seek medical aid and contact your 24-hour Medical Assistance Service (numbers below).
Be aware that any functioning hospitals and clinics will be busy caring for other people and there may be long delays.
If you are in a region with no operating medical facilities please contact the Medical Assistance Service Immediately.
What is happening to me and who do I call?
It is important to remember that the situation you are in can be extremely stressful.
Call home and your country's Consulate or Embassy to let them know where you are, if you are alright and if you need any assistance.
Keeping an item of comfort nearby, such as a family photo, favorite music, or religious material, can often offer comfort in such situations.
Call the emergency assistance hotlines should you need immediate attention (phone numbers below for WorldNomad's policy holders).
Emergency Assistance Contacts
Call the emergency assistance hotlines should you need immediate attention.Please have your name, location and phone number ready when you call (and policy number if available).
Click here for a list of 24 hour emergency assistance hotline numbers.
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