Greek unions extend general strike to 48 hours

Greek unions said they would extend a planned general strike next week to 48 hours as protests against sweeping austerity measures continued on Thursday, shutting down public transport in Athens and barring tourists from the Acropolis.

With the beleaguered Socialist government of Prime Minister George Papandreou fighting to push new cuts through parliament, as demanded by international lenders, the unions said the Oct. 19 strike would be extended to the following day.

The strike, which will shut down much of the country, will coincide with a vote on the austerity package on Oct. 20, three days before a European Union summit which leaders are hoping will reach a comprehensive solution to the crisis.

"We want to overturn this bill which will destroy Greece and its people," said Ilias Iliopoulos, general-secretary of public sector union ADEDY, which is coordinating the strike with its private sector counterpart GSEE.

The two unions, which represent some 2.5 million members, or half the Greek workforce, have frequently been at odds over the crisis but have put aside differences for the moment to organise what is expected to be the biggest labour action in months.

The austerity bill, including savage pay and pension cuts and layoffs in the traditionally protected public sector, passed a preliminary vote at committee stage on Thursday, despite misgivings from many in the ruling PASOK party.

Πηγή: (Reuters)