Greece faces a day of nationwide demonstrations Wednesday as teachers walk off the job for 24 hours and students, parents and public-sector workers join protests expected in more than 50 cities.
Primary and secondary school teachers are taking part in the October 21 strike, while Greece’s public-sector union federation, ADEDY, has called a work stoppage for all public employees from 11 a.m. until the end of their shifts in solidarity with education workers.
The main demonstration in Athens is scheduled for noon at Propylaea, the historic entrance to the University of Athens in the city center. Demonstrators in Thessaloniki will gather at the Venizelos Statue at 11 a.m., while a rally in Patras is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. at Agiou Georgiou Square.
Students, university associations and parents are joining teachers in the demonstrations, giving the mobilization a broader education-wide character.
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University students began their protest Tuesday evening, gathering at Syntagma Square in central Athens at 6 p.m. for a concert before setting up tents and spending the night there in protest over housing and living costs.
Teachers Demand Pay Raises and More Staff
The strike includes primary school teachers and kindergarten teachers, represented by DOE, and secondary school teachers represented by OLME. University staff and hospital doctors are also among the groups participating in the broader mobilization.
Teachers are demanding a 20% pay increase and the restoration of Greece’s 13th and 14th salary payments, as well as housing support for educators who work far from their permanent homes and free transportation between their homes and workplaces.
Their demands also include immediately filling vacant teaching positions, making substitute teachers permanent, increasing government funding for safe school infrastructure and providing school meals at all-day schools.
Unions are also calling for an end to prosecutions connected to union activity and the right to strike, as well as protection for students participating in demonstrations.
OLME, the federation representing secondary school teachers, says public education continues to face serious problems, including 15,000 vacant teaching positions, insufficient funding for schools and salaries that do not provide teachers with adequate living conditions.
The federation is also opposing what it describes as the categorization of schools, including Greece’s model schools, Onassis Schools and International Baccalaureate programs. It has criticized planned changes to upper secondary education and university admissions, arguing that they would increase the emphasis on examinations.
“We are striking on October 21 for modern, safe schools with all the necessary staff, teachers who can live with dignity, and free public education that meets the modern educational needs of all children,” OLME said.
Public-Sector Workers Join Mobilization
ADEDY has called on public-sector employees across Greece to stop work from 11 a.m. through the end of their shifts and join the demonstrations.
The federation said it was supporting teachers, university employees, students and parents while calling for higher salaries, greater support for educators, safe schools and free public education.
ADEDY is also demanding the restoration of the 13th and 14th salary payments, permanent recruitment across public services, the permanent employment of contract workers and increased funding for public education and health care.
Public hospital doctors represented by OENGE are due to gather outside the Finance Ministry in Athens at noon, with parallel demonstrations planned in other cities.
Special education staff will join the noon rally at Propylaea, while pensioners’ organizations have called a separate gathering at Kotzia Square at 10 a.m., followed by a march to the Health Ministry.
Temporary employees of the Culture Ministry have also called a gathering outside the ministry on Bouboulinas Street at 10:30 a.m.
Police on Alert in Athens
A significant police presence is expected during Wednesday’s demonstrations, according to the information provided, with authorities on heightened alert amid recent youth mobilizations in other European countries.
Education Minister Sofia Zacharaki addressed the planned protests Tuesday, while also highlighting government initiatives on student welfare.
Will Schools Be Closed?
Schools are not automatically closed because of the strike.
Teachers who choose not to participate can report to work as usual, meaning classes will take place where teachers are present. Some educators who agree with the strike’s demands may nevertheless choose to work because they cannot afford to lose a day’s pay amid higher living costs.
Students may also choose to participate in the demonstrations even if their teachers report for work, with any resulting absences applying accordingly.
Will Public Transportation Run?
Public transportation is expected to operate normally.
Transport workers are not covered by ADEDY’s action, while the private-sector GSEE union federation is not on strike. No work stoppages or strikes have been announced for the Athens Metro, ISAP electric railway, tram, buses or trolley buses.
That means demonstrators will be able to use public transportation to reach the main rallies and preliminary gatherings without announced changes to services.