Greeks held similar protests against austerity measures in 2010, pictured here. (Flickr/Creative Commons)

According to the BBC, the first union-led protest since conservatives took over in June began as a one-day strike against spending cuts totaling 11.5 billion euros, or $15 billion. 

The coalition government in place is required to carry out the cuts to get the next 31-billion euro installment of bailout funds from its lenders, the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

Some 50,000 people protested in the nation's capital Wednesday, shutting down banks, historic sites, schools and government services. The strike follows similar demonstrations this week in Spain and Portugal.

Read the full story here, and more of Neon Tommy's coverage on Greece's financial woes here.

Reach Executive Producer Catherine Green here. Follow her here.