ATHENS — Mass transportation unions in Athens, who had called for a 24-hour strike on Wednesday, are modifying their actions following pressure by the minister of Education and parents of children sitting for university examinations.

The strike has been called by the largest private and public sector unions GSEE and ADEDY, and the Labor Center of Athens to protest the labor bill being voted in Parliament.

Until further notice, transport will operate as follows:

– Metro lines 2 and 3 (blue and red) are still on 24-hour strike notice. They were scheduled to meet at 16:00 to review their actions.

– Metro line 1 ("electric train") will operate from the start of schedule to 10:00 a.m. only, striking the rest of the day.

– Urban railroad trains and TrainOSE intercity trains will stop operating from 12:00 noon to 16:00 in a work stoppage.

– Buses and trolleys will hold a work stoppage from 13:00 to 17:00. They will start withdrawing before 13:00 and normal operation is expected to be restored around 18:00.

Transportation unions charged the government with "using students taking exams to try and weaken the struggle of workers against the anti-labor bill," describing it as "an underhanded government tactic."

Earlier today, ADEDY decided to exclude secondary education teachers and education ministry employees involved in the exam process from the strike, while Education Minister Niki Kerameus filed an urgent lawsuit to "ensure that the university entrance exams on Wednesday, June 16 will not be hindered in any way."

Bank staff federation calls for work stoppage

Bank staff unions will join the general protest on Wednesday over the new labor bill with a work stoppage, their federation OTOE said on Tuesday.

The stoppage will begin at 11:15 until the end of banking hours, they said, adding that the federation will join the rally at Syntagma Square scheduled at 16:00 on Wednesday.

The strike is called by the public sector confederation ADEDY and the Labor Center of Athens.