Workers in Greece have gone on strike across multiple sectors, particularly among teachers and ferry workers.
Public school teachers held a protest march in central Athens yesterday (23 October), demanding improvements in working conditions.
Island ferry crews have also decided to extend their strike, which has kept ships in port since Tuesday, for an additional two days. Their demands include a 12% pay increase.
The 24-hour teachers’ strike was organized by the Greek civil servants’ union ADEDY, after the government attempted to block the action in court. ADEDY took over leadership from the teachers’ unions when the strike was challenged legally.
The unions are pressing for the restoration of workers’ rights that were severely restricted during the international bailouts between 2010 and 2018. As part of the bailout conditions, austerity measures were imposed, which included drastic cuts in public spending, tax increases, and labor reforms that weakened collective bargaining rights.
The teachers’ unions are specifically demanding pay raises and more permanent positions for temporary staff.
The government argued that the initial strike did not comply with recent labor reforms, while ADEDY accused the government of attempting to undermine workers’ constitutional right to strike.
On Wednesday, the Panhellenic Seamen’s Federation of Greece decided to extend their two-day strike, which began on Tuesday, for another two days. The union also warned that they may consider extending the strike even further.
This ongoing action could disrupt the travel plans of thousands of Greeks preparing for a long weekend on the islands ahead of Monday’s national holiday.
Other sectors involved in the strike include dockworkers, metalworkers, hotel and tourism employees, and catering and distribution workers. These groups are demanding better wages, stronger collective bargaining agreements, and improved health and safety regulations in the workplace.
Maritime workers from shipyards, dockers, and metalworkers staged a large-scale protest against the Ministry of Maritime Affairs. After the Ministry refused to meet their demands, the unions decided to occupy the Ministry and continue their strike on 24 October.
Maritime workers have extended their strike for 48 hours, covering 24 and 25 October.
Electricity distribution workers plan to strike on 1–2 November, followed by construction workers on 6 November.
