Teachers in Greece to stage 24-hour strike on 21 October
Primary school teachers in Greece will stage a 24-hour nationwide strike on Wednesday, 21 October, demanding substantial salary increases, the recruitment of permanent staff to fill school vacancies, improved working conditions and stronger public education funding.
In Gümülcine (Komotini), the Association of Primary Education Teachers of Rhodope “The Three Hierarchs” has called on educators to join the action. A pre-strike gathering is scheduled for 11 a.m. outside the Rhodope Directorate of Primary Education, followed by a march to the city’s central square.
The strike follows a decision by the Greek Primary Teachers’ Federation (DOE) and comes amid growing concerns over teachers’ purchasing power, staff shortages, school infrastructure and government policies on teacher evaluation and disciplinary procedures, according to a report by Paratiritis News.
SALARY INCREASES AND RESTORATION OF BONUSES
Teachers say rising living costs have significantly eroded their incomes. According to the federation’s claims cited in the report, teachers’ purchasing power has fallen by nearly 60%, while around half earn no more than €1,000 per month.
Their demands include substantial pay rises, the restoration of the 13th and 14th monthly salaries, and the reinstatement of salary progression benefits suspended during 2016–2017. They are also calling for a collective labour agreement to protect employment and financial rights across the profession.
The demands come amid continuing disputes over public-sector remuneration and the cost of living in Greece.
STAFF SHORTAGES AND OVERCROWDED CLASSROOMS
The federation has criticised the continued shortage of teaching staff more than a month after the school year began. It alleges that the Education Ministry has sought to address vacancies through class mergers, larger class sizes, compulsory overtime, the assignment of subjects to teachers from different specialisations and the transfer of pupils between classes.
Teachers are demanding that all vacancies be filled through permanent appointments and that class mergers be reversed. They also want maximum class sizes of 15 pupils in kindergartens and 20 in primary schools.
The union has raised concerns about insufficient school funding, maintenance problems and the need for adequate earthquake-safety inspections. It cited a natural gas leak at the Grava school complex as an example of the safety risks facing educational facilities.
OPPOSITION TO TEACHER EVALUATION AND DISCIPLINARY RULES
The strike’s demands also target legislation governing teacher and school evaluation, as well as changes to the disciplinary framework for public employees.
The federation is calling for the repeal of Law 4823/2021 on education evaluation and provisions introduced under Law 5225/2025 on disciplinary procedures. It argues that these measures increase pressure on teachers and restrict trade union activity.
Teachers are also demanding an end to disciplinary proceedings against educators who participate in union-led actions, alongside stronger protection against verbal and physical attacks in the workplace.
EQUAL RIGHTS FOR PERMANENT AND SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS
The federation is seeking equal employment rights for permanent and substitute teachers. Its demands include nine months of parental leave for substitute teachers, equal working hours for kindergarten teachers and staff in small schools, and harmonisation of teaching hours across primary and secondary education.
The unions say these measures are necessary to improve working conditions and ensure that teachers can adequately meet pupils’ educational and social needs.
PRIVATE-SECTOR WORKERS BACK THE STRIKE
The Gümülcine Association of Private-Sector Employees has also announced its support for the planned mobilisation, calling on workers, parents, university students and school pupils to participate in the gathering at the city’s central square.
Under the slogan “Money for wages and education, not for war and the profits of the few,” the association is demanding increased public investment in education, the immediate filling of school vacancies, safer school buildings and permanent appointments for substitute teachers.
Its demands also include a 20% wage increase, restoration of the 13th and 14th salaries, housing and transport support for teachers, and an end to disciplinary action linked to trade union activity.
The association has called for public resources to be directed towards social needs rather than military spending, stressing the importance of joint action by workers and the education community to defend free public education.
The mobilisation in Gümülcine forms part of the broader campaign led by the Greek Primary Teachers’ Federation, which is also planning regional meetings with union representatives in the coming weeks.
