11 May: a trade union demonstration in Greece

Author: Yannis Almpanis

On 11th of May, 2005, Greek trade unions and social movements organized the most successful general strike since 2001. The strike was actually the Greek Mayday.

Greek Demonstration

The 1st of May was the day of the Greek Orthodox Easter. As usual the Mayday mobilizations were postponed for the May 11. But it was the first time since 1974 (the fall of the military dictatorship) that the government did not declare Mayday as national bank holiday. This was conceived as a provocation by the trade unions and social movements. As a result, this year’s Mayday became a real political confrontation against the conservative government an neoliberal policies and not a routine celebration. In addition, we should underline the fact that the government has launched a new program of neoliberal reforms that threatens worker’s rights.

The Greek General Worker’s Confederation announced the participation in the strike in the public sector was 90% and in the private sector more than 50% (more than 70% in the big industries).

More than 15.000 people demonstrated in the center of Athens in two equal demonstrations (one Communist Party and the other Trade Unions, Greek Social Forum, Genoa 2001 etc). The Greek Social Forum’s bloc was more than the half of the trade uninon’s demonstration.