Greece’s largest public sector union, ADEDY, has declared a 24-hour strike on Wednesday, April 9, joining forces with the General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE) in a nationwide walkout.
ADEDY’s decision was finalized on Tuesday during a meeting of its Executive Committee. According to the official announcement, the primary demands include the reinstatement of the 13th and 14th salaries—which the Bank of Greece recently reaffirmed will not be restored—as well as real wage increases.
GSEE’s nationwide strike on April 9 centers on key issues such as the soaring cost of living, the housing crisis, and wage stagnation, with an emphasis on collective bargaining rights.
While uncommon in most Western countries, Greek employees have traditionally received 13 or 14 salaries per year rather than just 12. Though often referred to as summer and Christmas “bonuses,” these additional payments have long been considered part of standard compensation.
Given Greece’s rising cost of living, which continues to outpace wage growth, workers argue that the extra salaries are no longer a luxury but a necessity to make ends meet.
