Strikes by Greek teachers and island ferry crews trigger broader labor disputes

By The Associated Press

The shadows of striking teachers are seen on the road during a protest against Greece's conservative government over labor rights, in Athens, Greece on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Thanassis Stavrakis]

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Striking Greek public school teachers marched in protest through central Athens on Wednesday as tensions grow between labor organizations and the center-right government over workers’ rights.

Island ferry crews also decided to extend for another two days a strike that has left ships moored in port since Tuesday. Their demands include a 12% pay increase.

The 24-hour teachers’ strike was called by Greece’s civil servants’ union ADEDY, taking over from teaching unions after the government tried to block the action in court.

Labor unions are pressing for the restoration of rights that were significantly rolled back during successive international bailouts between 2010 and 2018. The austerity measures implemented as a condition for the rescue loans included severe cuts to public spending, tax increases and labor reforms that resulted in a weakening of collective bargaining rules.

Teachers’ unions are seeking salary increases and more permanent positions for temporary staff among other demands.

Striking teachers and supporters chant slogans during a protest against Greece's conservative government over labor rights, in Athens, Greece on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Thanassis Stavrakis

The government maintains that the original strike failed to meet legal requirements under recent labor reforms, while ADEDY accused the government of trying to restrict workers’ constitutional right to strike.

Wednesday’s march ended peacefully.

Also Wednesday, Greece’s Panhellenic Seamen’s Federation decided to extend for another two days a two-day strike it launched Tuesday.

The union warned that it would likely consider further extending the strike. That would disrupt travel plans by thousands of Greeks planning a long island weekend ahead of a national holiday on Monday.