Students and teachers marched through central Athens on Wednesday, Oct. 21, demanding higher salaries, affordable housing and more staff in schools as education protests took place across Greece.
Demonstrators moved from Propylaea to Syntagma Square, outside Parliament, bringing together school pupils, university students, teachers and public-sector employees. Their demands connected the cost of studying and working with the resources available in public schools.
Gatherings also took place in Thessaloniki, Patras and Heraklion, as teachers’ strikes and public-sector work stoppages accompanied the demonstrations.
Housing costs and school staffing drive demands
Teachers are seeking salary increases and permanent appointments to fill vacant teaching positions. The Greek Federation of Primary School Teachers, known as DOE, also called for safer school buildings, smaller classes and sufficient state funding to meet schools’ needs.
Housing is a concern for educators as well as students. The Federation of Secondary School Teachers, OLME, said newly appointed and substitute teachers face particularly high rent and transportation costs on islands and in tourist areas. Its demands include housing allowances and measures to reduce the expense of traveling to work.
University students are calling for lower rents, higher housing allowances, broader eligibility for assistance and more places in student residences. They are also seeking increased public funding for universities.
ADEDY, the public-sector union confederation, linked its support for the protests to those financial pressures. In its statement announcing industrial action, the confederation said accommodation costs were pushing the expense of university studies beyond what many families could afford.
Teachers strike as public employees join protests
Wednesday’s action followed announcements of education mobilizations earlier this week.
DOE called a 24-hour strike for primary-school and kindergarten teachers. Its demands include higher pay, improved working conditions and permanent recruitment to fill staffing gaps.
OLME called a three-hour work stoppage from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for daytime schools, with corresponding stoppages for afternoon and evening schools. It also asked local teachers’ unions to announce additional stoppages covering the remaining working hours.
ADEDY announced a nationwide work stoppage beginning at 11 a.m. and continuing until the end of employees’ shifts, allowing public-sector workers to join the demonstrations. The confederation backed demands for higher wages, permanent hiring and adequately funded public education.
Heightened policing in central Athens
A substantial police operation around the Athens demonstrations involves the deployment of approximately 3,000 officers. Athens rail operator STASY announced that Panepistimio metro station was closed by police order, with trains passing through without stopping.
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