Shocking Firing of Greek Rail Unionist Exposed
European Left Stands in Solidarity with Kostas Genidounias and All Penalised Trade Unionists
On April 30, Hellenic Train, the private railway company of Greece—owned by Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane—proceeded with the provocative dismissal of Greek trade unionist and former president of the train drivers’ union, Kostas Genidounias, without any formal justification. His dismissal—not coincidentally—came just a few days after Genidounias announced his candidacy in the upcoming trade union elections, aiming to reclaim the presidency.
During his tenure as president of the train drivers’ union, Genidounias repeatedly exposed—through formal complaints to the Greek Ministry of Transport—the severe technical problems and serious staff shortages plaguing the railway network. He had warned of the potential dangers this posed to both passengers and staff. The government failed to respond, and in February 2023, Greece suffered the devastating Tempi train crash, which claimed 57 lives—both passengers and staff.
The European Left stands with Kostas Genidounias—as both a worker and trade unionist—who is fighting, alongside the vast majority of Greek society, for justice in the Tempi tragedy and for safe working conditions in the railways. We call on Hellenic Train to immediately revoke his dismissal.
The European Left supports all trade unionists who are unfairly penalised across Europe and reaffirms that trade unionism is an essential pillar of democracy.