Greek civil servants call strike for November 25

Greece’s umbrella civil service union, ADEDY, has called a 24-hour strike for November 25 to demand the restoration of abolished holiday bonuses, higher salaries and measures to address the rising cost of living and housing.

The planned walkout is expected to disrupt schools, hospitals and other public services, according to the union’s announcement on Monday.

ADEDY is demanding the reinstatement of the so-called 13th and 14th salaries, equivalent to two full monthly salaries, which public sector employees lost during Greece’s 2010-2018 financial crisis.

The union is also calling for additional public sector recruitment and salary increases to address mounting financial pressures on workers.

Union to appeal to European court

The strike announcement follows a ruling by Greece’s Council of State, the country’s highest administrative court, which rejected ADEDY’s legal challenge seeking the restoration of the additional payments.

ADEDY said it would appeal the ruling to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France.

The disputed payments traditionally included Christmas, Easter and summer holiday bonuses. They were abolished in 2012 as part of austerity measures involving spending cuts and tax increases imposed during Greece’s financial crisis under its international bailout programmes.

Private sector workers retain holiday payments

While public sector employees lost the additional salaries, private sector workers continue to receive the 13th and 14th salary payments under the country’s employment framework.

ADEDY argues that restoring the allowances, alongside higher wages and additional recruitment, is necessary to improve civil servants’ living standards amid rising housing and everyday expenses.

The November 25 strike is intended to increase pressure on the government to address the union’s demands.