Union Slams Heraklion Mayor's 34M Waste Privatization Contract

Wednesday, 3 June 2026/Source: CretaOne/1 min read

Municipal workers' union SEKET has publicly criticized Heraklion Mayor Alexis Kalokaierinos over the privatization of the city's waste collection services. The union is reminding residents of statements the mayor made before the last election, referencing a contract worth 34 million euros awarded to a private company. The dispute centers on accountability for how public sanitation services are managed in Crete's largest city. For visitors, waste collection in Heraklion continues to operate normally, though ongoing labor tensions in the municipal sector could occasionally affect street cleaning schedules in the city center. Travelers staying in or passing through Heraklion should have no immediate concerns, but it is worth monitoring local updates if visiting during any planned strike action by municipal workers.