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December11,2007

"Greeks on strike (again)"

oh the greeks are at it again...except this time, even the airport will shut down.

International Herald Tribune
Nationwide strike set to paralyze Greece on Wednesday
By Anthee Carassava
Tuesday, December 11, 2007

ATHENS: Greek workers geared for one of the largest labor mobilizations in decades, staging a strike Wednesday that is expected to ground air travel, shut state offices and paralyze key services in protest to proposed pension reforms.

The nationwide strike was called by Greece's two main labor unions, the General Confederation of Greek Labor, or GSEE, and the Civil Servants' Union, or Adedy, in an attempt to pressure the center-right government to amend controversial proposals intended to revamp the country's ailing social security system.

"Nothing will be moving on Wednesday," said Efstathios Anestis, spokesman for the GSEE union. "This is the only way for workers to show their opposition to the government's decision."

GSEE and Adedy jointly represent more than 2.5 million workers.

Under the proposed reforms, the government hopes to fuse about 170 pension funds into eight broad-based funds, encouraging employees to stay at work beyond the age limit of 65 despite pledges not to increase retirement ages and cut pension benefits.

Like other countries in Europe, Greece's pension system faces enormous future deficits.

But barring changes, the funds could face bankruptcy and the government's massive pension spending may affect the budget within as little as 10 years, putting Greece at risk again of running excessive deficits, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Greece's center-right government won re-election in September promising to speed up economic and social reforms.

Still, attempts to overhaul country's ailing social security system have uncorked widespread discontent in recent weeks, sending streams of protestors to the streets in a string of strikes.

"Wednesday's nationwide strike is a crucial litmus test for the government's reform-minded agenda," said to Vima, an Athens daily.

Air traffic controllers said no airplanes would take off or land at Athens International airport on Wednesday, except military, medical and government aircraft. Bus, trolley and suburban railways services will also come to a halt as banks and most public services will remain shut.

Schools will remain closed, while hospital and ambulance service plan to operate on skeleton staff, treating only emergency cases.

The last serious effort at pension overhaul, in 2001, by the then labor-friendly Socialist administration, led to massive street demonstration that nearly rocked the government from power.

Notes:
International Herald Tribune Copyright © 2007 The International Herald Tribune | www.iht.com

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