Uniformed personnel protest in Thessaloniki ahead of the Thessaloniki International Fair: “Respect the uniform”

“Respect the uniform! Dignity for the person!” rang out at Thessaloniki's White Tower as uniformed personnel from across Greece gathered one day before the opening of the Thessaloniki International Fair.

Police officers, coast guard personnel, military members and firefighters filled the square, making pay increases their main demand. Representatives of their federations were scheduled to speak from a platform at the foot of the tower before the group marched toward the Ministry of Macedonia and Thrace.

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We demand an end to the continuing economic devaluation of uniformed personnel and policies that guarantee it. We seek a dignified life for ourselves and our families.

The protesters called for an end to what they described as the continuing economic devaluation of uniformed personnel. They demanded policies that would allow them and their families to live with dignity.

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We are still in the fire season with very many fires and fronts, an extremely difficult fire season that continues to this day, with endless days of general alert for personnel. Today we are completing the 308th day of general alert.

Nikos Lavranos, president of the Panhellenic Federation of Fire Service Unions, said firefighters had numerous financial demands and felt abandoned by society. Stratos Gitsoudis, president of the Panhellenic Association of Forest Operations Firefighters, said the country was still in a difficult wildfire season, with many fires and fronts. He said personnel had reached their 308th day of general alert.

Ilia Kolliris, president of the Panhellenic Association of Military Personnel, said serving military members had joined police, firefighters and coast guard personnel to send a message that promises had come to an end. Farmers, livestock breeders and beekeepers planned to hold their own gathering at the same location the following day, with farmers expected to bring tractors for the first time.

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Today all of us serving military personnel are joining our voices with the federations of police employees, firefighters and coast guard personnel, all together as one voice, to send a message that promises have now ended.