Taxi strike action continues
Unionists representing taxi drivers were expected to hold a fresh round of discussions on Thursday to decide upon further action following the collapse of talks with Transport Minister Yiannis Ragousis on Wednesday. A group of unionists is also expected to meet with Alexis Tsipras, leader of the Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA).
Strike action continued around the country on Thursday. On the island of Crete, cabbies continued their blockade of Iraklio Airport — though without disrupting flights — while fellow drivers held a rally at the city port. In Thessaly, they blocked the national highway at Tempe.
Meanwhile, blockades at toll stations in Elefsina, Afidnes and the Corinth Canal were lifted on Thursday morning.
On Wednesday, a group of 21 PASOK MPs requested that the planned reforms be discussed by Parliament?s transport committee and asked Ragousis to inform them about recent developments and of his intentions regarding the current dispute.
The taxi drivers are protesting a new law proposed by the current minister for the sector?s liberalization and are demanding that Ragousis reverts to a law drawn up by his predecessor, Dimitris Reppas, which sets limits to the number of taxi licenses that can be issued.
