June 29, 2010

New strikes block tourists at Piraeus

Demonstrators demand withdrawal of pension bill

Dramatic, amazing shot of the Parthenon from the UK Daily Mail

The Financial Times has covered the new street demonstrations and the seaman union strike at Piraeus:

"Militant seamen blocking the gates of Piraeus harbour on Tuesday stopped hundreds of tourists from boarding ferries for the Greek islands, as public and private sector unions staged a 24-hour strike to protest against new pension legislation.

The stand-off at the country’s largest port, the second in less than a week, highlighted opposition by the communist trade union PAME to reforms agreed under Greece’s €110bn bail-out by the European Union and International Monetary Fund.

Port authorities said 18,000 passengers were due to sail from Piraeus on Tuesday, but it was not clear how many would be able to leave.

A few hours later riot police in central Athens fired tear gas against stone-throwing protesters gathered outside parliament, where the pension overhaul is being debated this week.

...Unions reacted strongly to a threat by the government on Monday to legislate a three-year pay freeze for lower-paid workers in the private sector if unions and employers fail to agree on the measure.."

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