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.

Gerald · 06-28-11, 10:05 AM

Greece has certainly always benefit from the euro since 2002, and received loans here and there, but the government has not taken, the hangover, this has been for the country, and what other countries within the Union, will have to pay .... stuff like that,can suck hard.

Jimbuna · 06-28-11, 11:00 AM

Like trying to douse a fire by dousing it with petrol.

yubba · 06-28-11, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbuna

Like trying to douse a fire by dousing it with petrol.

not too cut on you jimbuna, it's gasoline on a house fire feel free too use it anytime like, a bandaid on a gun shot wound, looks like death suckin on a lifesaver.

STEED · 06-28-11, 12:19 PM

Let them go under and live with it.

Jimbuna · 06-28-11, 12:40 PM

My daughter is going there on holiday next month...I might give 2 or 3 grand and have her buy me a holiday villa with a pool

Gerald · 06-28-11, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbuna

My daughter is going there on holiday next month...I might give 2 or 3 grand and have her buy me a holiday villa with a pool

Ha,Ha great price

Jimbuna · 06-28-11, 12:54 PM

Must have four bedrooms and a kebab maker on the rear patio.

Gerald · 06-28-11, 01:11 PM

Police have fired tear gas in running battles with stone-throwing youths in Athens, where a 48-hour general strike is being held against a parliamentary vote on tough austerity measures.

Thousands of protesters have gathered outside parliament in the capital where public transport has ground to a halt.

PM George Papandreou has said that only his 28bn-euro (£25bn) austerity plan would get Greece back on its feet.

If the package is not approved, Greece could run out of money within weeks.

Without a new plan in place, the EU and IMF say they will withhold 12bn euros of loans which Greece needs to repay debts due in mid-July.

'Declared war'

More than 5,000 police officers were deployed in the centre of Athens as the protesters marched towards parliament.

The rally started peacefully, but escalated into running skirmishes on the fringes of the main demonstration.

Hundreds of protesters with faces covered by scarves or gas-masks started throwing stones, debris and bottles at the police in one corner of the central Syntagma Square.

Police fired tear gas and stun grenades to keep them back.

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

Note: Update Record, 28 June 2011 Last updated at 17:05 GMT

MH · 06-28-11, 01:14 PM

I don't know what to think about this whole deal.

Another victim of communism?

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: 23,197 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.

06-28-11, 10:05 AM	#7
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Greece has certainly always benefit from the euro since 2002, and received loans here and there, but the government has not taken, the hangover, this has been for the country, and what other countries within the Union, will have to pay .... stuff like that,can suck hard. __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

06-28-11, 11:00 AM	#8
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,452 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Like trying to douse a fire by dousing it with petrol. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

06-28-11, 12:19 PM	#10
STEED Lucky Jack Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Down Town UK Posts: 27,695 Downloads: 89 Uploads: 48	Let them go under and live with it. __________________ Dr Who rest in peace 1963-2017. To borrow Davros saying...I NAME YOU CHIBNALL THE DESTROYER OF DR WHO YOU KILLED IT!

06-28-11, 12:40 PM	#11
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,452 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	My daughter is going there on holiday next month...I might give 2 or 3 grand and have her buy me a holiday villa with a pool __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

06-28-11, 12:54 PM	#13
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,452 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Must have four bedrooms and a kebab maker on the rear patio. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

06-28-11, 01:11 PM	#14
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Greece protest against austerity package turns violent Police have fired tear gas in running battles with stone-throwing youths in Athens, where a 48-hour general strike is being held against a parliamentary vote on tough austerity measures. Thousands of protesters have gathered outside parliament in the capital where public transport has ground to a halt. PM George Papandreou has said that only his 28bn-euro (£25bn) austerity plan would get Greece back on its feet. If the package is not approved, Greece could run out of money within weeks. Without a new plan in place, the EU and IMF say they will withhold 12bn euros of loans which Greece needs to repay debts due in mid-July. 'Declared war' More than 5,000 police officers were deployed in the centre of Athens as the protesters marched towards parliament. The rally started peacefully, but escalated into running skirmishes on the fringes of the main demonstration. Hundreds of protesters with faces covered by scarves or gas-masks started throwing stones, debris and bottles at the police in one corner of the central Syntagma Square. Police fired tear gas and stun grenades to keep them back. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13935400 Note: Update Record, 28 June 2011 Last updated at 17:05 GMT __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

06-28-11, 01:14 PM	#15
MH Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 3,184 Downloads: 248 Uploads: 0	I don't know what to think about this whole deal. Another victim of communism?