Corfu, March 1, 2026 – The Corfu Teachers’ Union (ELME) organized a rally on Saturday, February 28th, at Porta Rialla, marking three years since the tragic train collision in Tempi that claimed 57 lives, mostly young people. Educators, along with students and their parents, gathered to demand justice and raise awareness about ongoing safety concerns in workplaces and schools.
Tempi Tragedy: A Symbol of Systemic Failures
The union’s announcement emphasized that the Tempi tragedy, where 57 innocent lives were lost, primarily young individuals, was a “premeditated crime.” This event, according to ELME, is not an isolated incident but a stark reminder of the continuous disregard for human life in the pursuit of profit. The rally served as a powerful declaration that the lives of workers, youth, and the working class are daily sacrificed “on the altar of profit.”
Unsafe Workplaces and Lack of Protection
ELME highlighted the alarming situation in workplaces, citing recent fatalities at the VIOLANTA factory and a total of 201 deaths in 2025 alone. These incidents, the union argues, are direct consequences of employers prioritizing profits over safety measures. The current legislative framework, which allows for 13-hour workdays and meager wages, further exacerbates the problem, turning workplaces into “arenas of death” with insufficient protection and oversight.
Schools in Peril: Neglect and Underfunding
The union also drew attention to the precarious state of schools on the island, which are reportedly left to their own devices by the government and local authorities. A severe lack of funding, maintenance, and equipment has led to schools issuing “SOS calls” regarding the safety of both students and teachers. The Mayor of Central Corfu himself, during a meeting concerning the Music School, reportedly admitted to the absence of funds for any interventions in schools, underscoring the critical situation.
Profit-Driven Policies and Their Human Cost
ELME asserts that the common denominator behind these tragedies-from Tempi to unsafe workplaces and neglected schools-is the profit motive of large corporations and the political policies that support it. Greek governments, across different administrations, have consistently implemented and upheld policies that prioritize the profitability of a select few, including industrialists, shipowners, and large hotel owners. Millions of euros are allocated to these sectors and to military equipment for NATO, rather than to the defense of the country or the well-being of its citizens.
This political approach, the union contends, leaves the public vulnerable, lacking essential infrastructure and protective measures. “This policy generates Tempi tragedies every day,” the announcement declared.
Call for Collective Action and a Society Centered on Human Needs
The Corfu Teachers’ Union expressed a profound distrust in those responsible for the current state of affairs, stating that they do not expect salvation from those who shape and support policies that endanger lives. Instead, ELME emphasized that “only the people can save the people” by asserting their rights and overturning the prevailing system.
The union called upon educators, all workers, poor farmers, and small business owners to unite through their respective organizations and dedicate their efforts to this struggle. The ultimate goal is to create a society that prioritizes the needs of its citizens and their children over the interests and profits of a select few.
The ELME Corfu Board urged its members to participate massively in the rally on February 28th at 12:00 PM at Porta Rialla, under the powerful slogan: “OUR LIVES ARE NOT A COST – THROUGH OUR STRUGGLE, WE WILL ACHIEVE EVERYTHING WE AND OUR CHILDREN NEED – EITHER THEIR PROFITS OR OUR LIVES.”
Source: https://www.startmediacorfu.gr/elme-kerkyras-syllalitirio-gia-ta-tempi-to-savvato-28-fevrouariou-stin-porta-riala/
