Hourly government workers and state officials in wage negotiations

Labor unions representing hourly government employees, including SEK, PEO, and DEOK, held negotiations with Finance Minister Makis Keravnos on Friday, September 25, 2026. The discussions focused on salary adjustments, a core demand for the renewal of collective agreements. While the unions noted a shift in the government's stance, specifically the formal recognition of the need for wage increases for both current and future staff, they maintained that the initial proposal offered by the Ministry of Finance remains unsatisfactory.

The dispute continues as both sides prepare for a critical meeting with President Nikos Christodoulides on Monday, September 28, 2026, at 11:00. This meeting follows a previous intervention by the President on September 16, which successfully averted a 24-hour strike. Union officials have warned that if no significant progress or agreeable solution is reached during this upcoming presidential meeting, they are prepared to announce industrial action without further delay to address their financial demands.