Workers in Greece are holding a nationwide, 24 hour strike to protest the latest round of austerity measures – the first such action a coalition government took control in June.

Thousands of workers walked off the job Wednesday, closing schools, canceling flights and shutting down shops and services across the country.

Police are deploying across the capital, Athens, to prevent possible unrest as demonstrators hold a midday march towards parliament.

Greece's is required to make $15 billion in spending cuts over the next two years, in order to obtain its next round of international aid.

The majority of those cuts are expected from slashing wages, pensions and welfare benefits.