In Greece more than 2.5 million workers have been on strike against Social Security reform, take note America

I prefer strike to Revolution.


The nationwide strike was from every sector

Bankers, Lawyers, Electrical and Municipal workers have shut down every industry

From Famagusta Gazette (3/20/08)

A number of domestic and international flights were reportedly cancelled, as air traffic controllers also joined the action.

Schools, ministries and banks were closed for the day.

In Athens, thousands of people took part in a protest rally, and demonstrations were held in several other cities.

From The Press Association (3/21/08):

Rubbish collectors have returned to work, removing mounds of waste which had piled up on city streets during their two-week strike, a day after Greece's parliament approved unpopular pension reforms despite widespread protests.

Rolling power cuts which Greeks had suffered for 17 days also ended after employees at the country's main power company returned to work.

But some sectors are still on strike. Lawyers are staying away from court for the fifth day of a week-long strike, while the bank workers' union declared a 24-hour strike.

A one-day general strike on Wednesday brought the country to a standstill.

From Javno via Reuters (3/21/08):

The bill passed in the 300-seat house with 151 votes in favour, from conservative MPs and one independent, and 13 MPs from the Leftist Coalition against. All other parties, including the main socialist opposition, abstained.

"The nation demands that we proceed with the necessary changes, that we are not held hostage to the past but assert our future with courage and self confidence," Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis told parliament on Friday.

Several hundred protesters remained outside parliament throughout much of the evening vote. Some clashed with police. On Wednesday, millions walked off the job, grounding flights and closing ancient sites, schools and banks.

Bank workers, teachers and lawyers remained on strike on Friday, while workers at state power company PPC, on strike for more than two weeks, said they will meet later to decide how to continue their action.

From EuroNews (3/21/08):

Workers unions in Greece have promised to continue their fight against pension reforms approved by parliament yesterday.

The bill may still be blocked if legislators decide next week to hold a referendum on the issue.

More than two weeks of crippling strikes were followed by protests outside parliament, where the reforms were being passed by the narrowest of margins.

Many accuse the conservative government of going back on pre-election promises not to cut pension rights.

The changes include raising the retirement age for women to 65- the same as for men, offering incentives for people to work beyond 65, and streamlining the country's many private sector pension schemes.

Working mothers are the most affected. Paid maternity leave is extended from four to ten months, but whereas mothers were able to retire after 15 years of employment, they must now wait until they are at least 55.

Workers in so-called "hazardous" jobs will be required to work two years more than under current laws before they can take their early retirement.

The government insists the reforms are necessary to prevent the pensions system collapsing under the weight of an aging population.

How long before we must take the proactive stance and have a 1 day strike?

I prefer strike to Revolution.

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