For the second consecutive day, taxi drivers in Athens, Greece, are continuing strike action as part of a 48-hour walkout organized by their union, SATA, in protest against the government’s decision to allow professional vans to take on passenger transport services.
Announcing the strike last week, SATA’s president questioned why the government was seeking to change the law, to favour vans, accusing van operators of trying to “steal work from taxis.” He stressed that taxis are legally authorized to carry up to nine passengers, while also pointing out what he described as unfair differences in the fines imposed on taxis compared to vans.
On Wednesday morning, striking drivers plan to gather with their vehicles at the intersection of Spyrou Patsi and Athinon Avenue at 10 a.m., downtown Athens, before setting off in a convoy toward the Transport Ministry, where they expect to meet the deputy minister. The protest is then set to continue with a demonstration at the port of Piraeus.
The first day of the strike on Tuesday saw taxi drivers rally outside SATA’s offices and march to the Tourism Ministry.
During the 48-hour stoppage, only hospital transfers will be covered, with designated “on-call” taxis marked with special signage, SATA has announced.
In its statement, the union denounced the government’s move as a “violent attack” on the sector, claiming the decision was tailored to benefit “multinational cartels and large business groups” at the expense of self-employed taxi drivers.
Similar mobilizations are already spreading across provincial cities, as local taxi associations adopt the same demands and align themselves with SATA’s protest campaign.
