The Right to Protest

I have returned from a brief visit to Greece and Cyprus.
Being in Athens the past week was not very "fun"...
The truck drivers were on strike when we arrived and as a result, fresh fruit and produce was getting scarce in the markets.
Worse, the gas stations were running out of gas since the tank truck drivers were also on strike and the lines of cars waiting to fill-up their gas tanks at those stations which still had gas were sometimes obscenely long. Tempers were rising along with the summer temperatures. 

"Vacation time" for Greeks arrives with the beginning of August and the truck driver's strike seemed aimed at creating the maximum degree of discomfort to the public who were attempting to leave on their summer vacations - not to mention any foreign tourists who decided to visit Greece.
I heard hotel bookings were being cancelled en-masse and the vacancy rates at many prime destinations were running around 50%. 

I forgot to mention the air traffic controller's strike during the last two weeks, which delayed many flights departing from Greece and Cyprus (the main way people depart Cyprus in through Greece). 
Since flights were being delayed, planes were late arriving and the next flights (which required those same planes) were delayed as well.

I really enjoy using the Athens Metro when I visit - it is a marked improvement over the bus routes I remember using when I was young.
I heard that workers at the Metro will also be continuing a strike however -- once everybody returns from their summer vacations.

Why the public tolerates the strikes by those groups mentioned above, as well as by others is beyond me. Greece depends on a well-run tourism machine to bring in some sorely needed cash during the summer months and the situation seems to be deteriorating compared to my visits in years past. 
Truly a sad sight to behold. 

I am not contesting worker's right to protest, however I cannot support those workers who cause discomfort to their fellow citizens through acts such as the strikes mentioned above.
I guess I can pray for a miracle...