Taxi unions in Greece are preparing for renewed strike action, with the national taxi union (SATA) expected to make a final decision late this week. The strikes could begin as early as Tuesday, Jan. 13, and may involve consecutive 48-hour stoppages or potentially an extended strike.

Similar such strikes usually affect the greater Athens-Piraeus agglomeration, but drivers in other cities have joined similar actions at times.

The union cited several reasons for the planned industrial action. Drivers are demanding more time to switch to electric vehicles, citing what they call a “sustainable timeline” extending nearly a decade away to 2035. Unions also want clearer regulations distinguishing traditional taxi services from ride-hailing companies. They have also demanded minimum fees for rival ride-hired vehicles, including vans and minibuses, and called for “fairer taxation”. In the latter case, they’re demanding income-tax free income up to 12,000 euros annually, a rate that’s higher the threshold for wage-earners in the country.

Another key demand is the right for taxis carrying passengers – usually one – to use dedicated bus lanes in traffic-congested greater Athens-Piraeus, which they paint as “improving (taxi) service efficiency”. The union also highlighted the need to address what it calls unfair competition from multinational ride-hailing apps, which they say undermines traditional taxi operations, particularly radio taxi services.

SATA has specifically criticized Transport Minister Konstantinos Kyranakis for not responding to their requests for meeetings.