Greece general strike: Unions act amid cuts debate

Gerald · 06-28-11, 01:22 AM

Trade unions in Greece have begun a 48-hour general strike, hours after PM George Papandreou urged parliament to back an austerity package.

Huge crowds of protesters are expected on the streets of Athens, while public transport is set to grind to a halt.

On Monday, Mr Papandreou said only his 28bn-euro (£25bn) austerity programme would get Greece back on its feet.

If the government loses, the EU and IMF could withhold 12bn euros of loans and Greece could run out of money in weeks.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has said French banks are ready to offer new 30-year loans to Greece when its current debts fall due.

He said other European countries whose banks had lent money to Greece were considering the same model to help prevent a default. But the UK denied it was pressing banks to "take a haircut".

'Massacre'

More than 5,000 police officers are due to be deployed in the centre of Athens on Tuesday morning, when tens of thousands of striking workers are expected to march towards parliament at 1000 (0700 GMT).

The general strike will disrupt or halt most public services, with doctors, ambulance drivers, journalists and even state-funded actors taking part.

Airports will be shut for hours at a time, with air traffic controllers walking out between 0800 and 1200 (0500-0900 GMT) and 1800 and 2200 (1500-1900 GMT). Ferries, buses and trains will also stop running.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13935400

Note: 28 June 2011 Last updated at 00:27 GMT

August · 06-28-11, 07:48 AM

I think the Greeks are about to get a cold dose of reality.

Gerald · 06-28-11, 09:20 AM

Like, welcome to reality

Hottentot · 06-28-11, 09:38 AM

Wow, they are really trying to convince the rest of Europe of their character. Sounds like a real solid investment to loan money to people like these

.

Gerald · 06-28-11, 09:45 AM

Their previous politics driven, the country into the ground

Hottentot · 06-28-11, 09:54 AM

I know. It's never the fault of the individual person, neither am I saying that the Greek as people are bad. But I simply can't fathom this. There are bad politics and bad politicians anywhere, yet not everywhere the solution is strikes and violent rioting.

What are they gaining with this? Their government so far is still going with austerity programme and at least in my uneducated foreigner's eyes they have made complete fools of themselves. I initially liked the idea of supporting them when the first package was discussed, was somewhat reserved but still mostly positive when the idea of second package was revealed but now...now I couldn't really care less, as long as it's not my money going there. And as a matter of fact, it is most likely going to be.

06-28-11, 01:22 AM	#1
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Greece general strike: Unions act amid cuts debate Trade unions in Greece have begun a 48-hour general strike, hours after PM George Papandreou urged parliament to back an austerity package. Huge crowds of protesters are expected on the streets of Athens, while public transport is set to grind to a halt. On Monday, Mr Papandreou said only his 28bn-euro (£25bn) austerity programme would get Greece back on its feet. If the government loses, the EU and IMF could withhold 12bn euros of loans and Greece could run out of money in weeks. French President Nicolas Sarkozy has said French banks are ready to offer new 30-year loans to Greece when its current debts fall due. He said other European countries whose banks had lent money to Greece were considering the same model to help prevent a default. But the UK denied it was pressing banks to "take a haircut". 'Massacre' More than 5,000 police officers are due to be deployed in the centre of Athens on Tuesday morning, when tens of thousands of striking workers are expected to march towards parliament at 1000 (0700 GMT). The general strike will disrupt or halt most public services, with doctors, ambulance drivers, journalists and even state-funded actors taking part. Airports will be shut for hours at a time, with air traffic controllers walking out between 0800 and 1200 (0500-0900 GMT) and 1800 and 2200 (1500-1900 GMT). Ferries, buses and trains will also stop running. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13935400 Note: 28 June 2011 Last updated at 00:27 GMT __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

06-28-11, 07:48 AM	#2
August Wayfaring Stranger Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 23,202 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I think the Greeks are about to get a cold dose of reality. __________________ Flanked by life and the funeral pyre. Putting on a show for you to see.

06-28-11, 09:20 AM	#3
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Like, welcome to reality __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

06-28-11, 09:38 AM	#4
Hottentot Sea Lord Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: My private socialist utopia of Finland Posts: 1,918 Downloads: 4 Uploads: 0	Wow, they are really trying to convince the rest of Europe of their character. Sounds like a real solid investment to loan money to people like these . __________________ Хотели как лучше, а получилось как всегда.

06-28-11, 09:45 AM	#5
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Their previous politics driven, the country into the ground __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

06-28-11, 09:54 AM	#6
Hottentot Sea Lord Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: My private socialist utopia of Finland Posts: 1,918 Downloads: 4 Uploads: 0	I know. It's never the fault of the individual person, neither am I saying that the Greek as people are bad. But I simply can't fathom this. There are bad politics and bad politicians anywhere, yet not everywhere the solution is strikes and violent rioting. What are they gaining with this? Their government so far is still going with austerity programme and at least in my uneducated foreigner's eyes they have made complete fools of themselves. I initially liked the idea of supporting them when the first package was discussed, was somewhat reserved but still mostly positive when the idea of second package was revealed but now...now I couldn't really care less, as long as it's not my money going there. And as a matter of fact, it is most likely going to be. __________________ Хотели как лучше, а получилось как всегда.