Greek teachers announce nationwide strike for October 21

Primary and secondary school teachers in Greece have announced a nationwide 24-hour strike scheduled for October 21, 2026. The mobilization is led by the Teachers' Federation of Greece (DOE) for primary educators and OLME for secondary education.

Protesters are demanding significant salary increases to combat the rising cost of living, noting that purchasing power has declined by nearly 60%. Educators are calling for the restoration of the 13th and 14th month salaries and the implementation of a collective labor agreement. They also seek to equalize the rights of permanent and substitute teachers.

The unions criticized the current government's policies, citing teacher shortages, inadequate school infrastructure, and the privatization of educational sectors. They specifically challenged a Council of State decision regarding civil servant wages and expressed opposition to government evaluation processes.