LJUBLJANA, Slovenia (AP) — Blowing whistles and horns, thousands of Slovenian teachers are rallying for higher wages in the latest in a string of strikes and protests by public sector workers in the small European Union country.

Most schools in Slovenia remained closed on Wednesday because of the one-day strike, which follows earlier walk-outs by health care employees, police and firefighters.

More than 10,000 people gathered at a central square in the capital, Ljubljana, holding colorful banners and union balloons and flags.

Workers' unions are demanding that the wage growth curbed in an austerity package in 2013 be restored amid economic growth. The demands put pressure on the centrist government of Prime Minister Miro Cerar before a parliamentary election later this year.