Athens commuters should expect disruptions early Sunday morning as Metro and Tram workers stage a four-hour warning strike. The walkout will take place from 1:00 to 5:00 a.m. on Sunday, 30 November, after employees announced they would protest what they describe as ongoing government inaction and inconsistent public statements from the Ministry of Transport.

The strike is linked to the government’s plan to introduce 24-hour Metro service every Saturday night, a move workers argue is unrealistic while major operational problems remain unresolved. According to the workers’ unions, the system continues to face severe understaffing across all operating and maintenance departments, insufficient train availability, and the non-recognition of previous private-sector experience that affects the salary scale of new hires.

In a joint announcement, unions representing all fixed-track systems—including Metro Lines 1, 2 and 3 as well as the Tram—said the strike is a direct response to repeated public statements from the Deputy Minister of Transport regarding salary increases and improved pay for night and holiday shifts. Workers claim that although these measures are already included in the current collective agreement, they have yet to be implemented.

The unions argue it is “illogical” for authorities to demand full 24-hour operations while failing to address persistent structural issues. Despite shortages, they say staff have consistently worked “at 120% of their capacity” to support the public, particularly under the demands of extended service hours.

“We are not beggars,” the unions stated. “We simply ask to work with dignity and be paid for the work we provide.” They also asked the public for understanding, noting that their protest aims to improve the quality of fixed-track transport for all passengers.

Workers are calling on both the Ministry of Transport and the management of the Athens fixed-track transport operator to immediately honor their commitments and implement the pending measures.