Chios and Patras face strikes over airport closure and public sector demands

Protests and strikes are occurring in Chios and Patras, Greece, driven by different local grievances. In Chios, local authorities, businesses, and workers are protesting the four-month closure of the ‘Omiris’ airport, scheduled from November 15, 2026, to March 15, 2027, for runway upgrades. The Chios Municipal Council has unanimously condemned the decision, demanding the restoration of the original two-month timeline and better transport alternatives for residents, students, and patients.

In Patras, a large-scale mobilization involving teachers, hospital doctors, university employees, students, and parents is underway. Protesters are demanding wage increases, permanent staff recruitment in the health sector, and better funding for public education. The Patras Labor Center has issued a call for solidarity, criticizing the commercialization of public health and the lack of resources in schools and universities.