Metro staff to strike Thursday over safety concerns

There will be no service on the Athens metro Thursday because of a 24-hour strike announced by workers Tuesday to protest poor security standards after a wave of attacks by vandals at central stations and the publication of the names of 125 ticket inspectors on an anti-establishment website urging people to attack them.

“If you recognize someone [from the list] in your neighborhood or your apartment block, treat them accordingly,” the website said.

In a statement, the Athens metro workers’ union, SELMA, slammed the Transport Ministry for not doing enough to ensure the safety of inspectors, who now refuse to conduct their duties, fearing for their safety.

Despite police units posted outside stations, workers say that nothing has been done to protect staff working inside.

Ministry officials have suggested a campaign to reverse the general view that ticket inspectors are the enemies of commuters.

Meanwhile, a group calling itself Free Transport for All claimed responsibility yesterday for the string of attacks on metro and ISAP electric railways stations last week and urged vandals to take further action.