In Athens, Greece, ferry crews have decided to shorten their four-day strike, announcing on Friday that they would return to work by early afternoon instead of waiting until midnight as initially planned. This decision came as a relief to many Greeks who were eager to travel to the islands for a long weekend in anticipation of a national holiday on Monday.

The seamen’s union stated that the strike, which had stranded ferries in port since Tuesday, would conclude by 2 p.m. on Friday. The union noted they had gained some concessions from the government, including increased penalties for violations of labor conditions and improved unemployment benefits for seamen who find themselves out of work. Despite this progress, the union indicated it would continue advocating for their complete list of demands, which prominently featured a call for a 12% pay increase.

Labor unions in Greece are actively campaigning for the restoration of worker rights that were significantly diminished during the series of international financial bailouts from 2010 to 2018. Austerity measures mandated as a prerequisite for these rescue loans involved drastic cuts to public expenditure, tax hikes, and labor reforms that effectively undermined collective bargaining agreements.

Additionally, school teachers participated in a strike earlier this week, voicing their requests for salary enhancements and an increase in permanent positions for temporary educators, among other issues.