Strikes by Greek teachers island ferry crews trigger broader labour disputes

Athens, Oct 23 (AP) Striking Greek public school teachers marched in protest through central Athens on Wednesday as tensions grow between labour organisations and the centre-right government over workers' rights.
     Island ferry crews also decided to extend for another two days a strike that has left ships moored in port since Tuesday.
     Their demands include a 12 per cent pay increase.
     The 24-hour teachers' strike was called by Greece's civil servants' union ADEDY, taking over from teaching unions after the government tried to block the action in court.
     Labour unions are pressing for the restoration of rights that were significantly rolled back during successive international bailouts between 2010 and 2018. The austerity measures implemented as a condition for the rescue loans included severe cuts to public spending, tax increases and labour reforms that resulted in a weakening of collective bargaining rules.
     Teachers' unions are seeking salary increases and more permanent positions for temporary staff among other demands.
     The government maintains that the original strike failed to meet legal requirements under recent labour reforms, while ADEDY accused the government of trying to restrict workers' constitutional right to strike.
     Wednesday's march ended peacefully.
     Also Wednesday, Greece's Panhellenic Seamen's Federation decided to extend for another two days a two-day strike it launched Tuesday.
     The union warned that it would likely consider further extending the strike. That would disrupt travel plans by thousands of Greeks planning a long island weekend ahead of a national holiday on Monday. (AP) PY
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(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)