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    October 05, 2011

Greek Workers Strike Against Proposed Austerity Measures

   VOA News
   Employees walk by empty check in counters at Eleftherios Venizelos
   airport during a 24-hour general strike in Athens, Oct. 5 2011. Photo:
   AP
   Employees walk by empty check in counters at Eleftherios Venizelos
   airport during a 24-hour general strike in Athens, Oct. 5 2011.

   A 24-hour strike in Greece has caused disruptions to transportation and
   many public services. Airlines cancelled Wednesday commercial flights
   across Greece as air traffic controllers joined the work stoppage. Bus,
   ferry and rail disruptions are also expected.
   Schools and many government offices closed Wednesday. A Greek terrorist
   trial has been postponed until October 24 due to the striking civil
   servants.
   Protesters are continuing demonstrations and work stoppages in a show
   of displeasure with Athens' latest austerity plan to avert a Greek debt
   default.
   Protestors blocked the entrance to several government buildings
   Tuesday, including the Greek finance and labor ministries.
   Demonstrators said they did not want to lose their jobs or have their
   pay reduced as a part of expanding austerity measures meant to appease
   international credit lenders and stave off a further economic crisis.
   Members of the eurozone and the International Monetary Fund are trying
   to decide whether to release the next installment of funds. Before
   releasing further funds the international community is looking for
   signs of significant reductions by the Greek government.
   Greece announced Sunday that it will miss debt reduction goals by
   nearly one percent.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP and AFP.

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