Research workers across Greece, both in research institutes and higher education, have called a nationwide strike for Thursday, 29 May. The strike, organised by unions representing research staff, demands increased funding, the filling of vacant posts, collective labour agreements, an end to discriminatory employment practices, better working conditions, and a shift in research funding priorities from military to societal needs.
According to a statement by the Panhellenic Federation of Employees in Research Centres and Institutions (POEEK-I):
“We demand immediate budget increases and staffing of long-standing vacancies, collective bargaining agreements for all, the elimination of inequalities among workers, improvements to working conditions and welfare policies, institutional changes to unify the sectors of Higher Education and Research, and public funding for research that serves society – not war.”
The Nationwide Union of Research and Higher Education Workers (S.E.R.E.T.E.) adds:
“What is truly unlawful is the brutal slashing of public spending on health, education, and social care, all while military budgets soar under the ‘ReArm Europe’ programme, aiming at the full militarisation of Europe.” The union also criticises the misuse of the term “excellence”, stating, “Excellence seems to go hand in hand with scandal.”
A sector in decline
The Greek research sector, they argue, has been in a prolonged state of crisis and neglect. Research centres and universities have been under-resourced for decades, operating with hundreds of unfilled positions. Around two-thirds of research staff are on short-term, precarious contracts, often underpaid and without job security. Meanwhile, facilities are outdated and lack proper state support, as the government increasingly focuses on business interests and dual-use technologies, sidelining the social role of knowledge creation.
Faced with this situation, POEEK-I initiated a nationwide coordination effort among research-sector unions. This move was met with strong support from dozens of worker organisations across the country. After extensive discussions highlighting the problems in each workplace, the unions decided to stage a 24-hour strike on Thursday, 29 May, accompanied by rallies, public discussions, and awareness-raising events nationwide.
Targeting academic freedom
S.E.R.E.T.E. also raises concerns about attacks on academic freedom and union activity. They accuse the government and media of deliberately shifting public focus by targeting public universities, clamping down on free speech and activism on campuses. The union recounts the case of one of its members who, while putting up posters, was assaulted and then falsely portrayed as the aggressor. Other union members have reportedly faced legal threats for their involvement in workplace advocacy during public events like Researchers’ Night.
The union also criticises the actions of the Rector of the National Technical University of Athens, Yiannis Chatzigeorgiou. They claim he has banned events inside the university – even those organised by staff and academics – acting unilaterally and in line with government directives. During a recent event, he allegedly described union members as “foreign bodies,” barred their entry, and filed personal lawsuits against them. For the union, this confirms a broader trend of universities being run like businesses, catering to political and commercial interests rather than serving as public institutions.
Public money, private interests
S.E.R.E.T.E. strongly condemns what it sees as the deeper, more troubling lawlessness in the sector. It points to deep cuts to health, education, and welfare funding, alongside the dramatic rise in military spending. Under this context, they criticise Greek universities and research centres – such as the University of Athens, the Technical University of Crete, Demokritos, CERTH, FORTH, and the University of Patras – for participating in DEFEA (Defence Exhibition Athens), where 33 Israeli defence companies showcased weapons used against Palestinians.
“When did the country’s scientific community discuss and approve the use of public research facilities for developing weapons of mass destruction?” the union asks. “We firmly oppose all military research.”
“Excellence is just another scandal”
S.E.R.E.T.E. further accuses the authorities of squandering public funds through biased grant decisions, pointing to the recent “Research Excellence Partnerships” programme. According to the union, the process lacks transparency and seems designed to favour insiders. Meanwhile, many researchers anxiously await results from the “Trust Your Stars” programme to know whether they’ll continue receiving funding.
The union highlights a broader crisis in public research funding. Cuts and caps at the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (ELIDEK), clawbacks of wages by the State Scholarships Foundation (IKY), and widespread delays in payments for temporary teaching staff – all contribute to a demoralised, precarious workforce.
“It’s scandalous,” they continue, “that private companies are allowed to operate out of public universities, using their infrastructure. It’s scandalous that university departments turn a blind eye to repeated allegations of sexual harassment against faculty members. It’s scandalous that many laboratories operate in unsafe conditions, putting staff health and safety at risk.”
The union calls for a proper debate on “safety” in universities – not one focused on policing, but on fire safety, infrastructure, and emergency exits.
“The real threat isn’t protest – it’s the pursuit of profit and the government’s policies that sacrifice public good for private gain.”
A precarious reality for research workers
The union paints a grim picture of everyday life for research workers: precarious, often unpaid or uninsured work, rising living costs, and wages that barely last beyond the middle of the month. Even staff under the unified wage system receive only token increases, while scholarship holders often rely on outdated stipends of just €800–900. The widespread use of freelance contractor arrangements has eroded the basic rights of salaried employment.
Collective bargaining agreements: A central demand
At the heart of the strike is one clear demand: a collective bargaining agreement for all workers in research and higher education teaching.
“A sector-wide agreement is essential for ensuring basic dignity and decent working conditions,” the union states. “Three out of four workers can’t cover their basic needs. But a collective agreement is about more than pay – it’s about recognising our work, securing our dignity, and giving us a voice. Without it, workers are isolated, disposable, silenced, and forced into individual negotiations. Without it, scientific freedom suffocates. Researchers can’t think freely, question, or explore.”
In the union’s view, this struggle is not just economic – it’s political, cultural, and deeply human. “It’s about protecting a science that serves society. It’s about restoring the value of work and the right to speak out.”
Strike events
The main rally in Athens is scheduled for 10:30 am in front of the Ministry of Development (5–7 Nikis Street, Syntagma). A press conference will follow at 1:30 pm at the offices of the Journalists’ Union of the Athens Daily Newspapers (ESIEA), 20 Akadimias Street, 1st floor.
Rallies are also planned in other cities across Greece:
- Heraklion: 10:30 am, New Science and Culture Centre at FORTH, Averof & Zografou
- Thessaloniki: 10:30 am, Administration Building, Aristotle University Campus
- Patras: 10:30 am, Rectorate Building, University of Patras
- Mytilene: 12:00 pm, Hall G, Department of Environment, Xenia Hill
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