Athens metro workers have walked off the job in a 24-hour strike, grinding the capital's subway system to a halt.

The workers were striking Wednesday in support of 285 contract workers whose contracts are expiring and face losing their jobs.

All public transport workers have also called a five-hour work stoppage for Thursday to protest salary cuts and social security reforms, which the government is imposing in order to pull Greece out of its debt crisis.

Buses, trains, the metro and trams will not operate Thursday from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.