Greek Strike Promises Chaos
Greek transport unions promised chaos for travelers during Thursday's 24-hour general strike, with public transport in Athens forecast to grind to a halt and Olympic Airways and Greek railways scaling back on routes. The 24-hour nationwide strike has been called by Greece's largest labor grouping GSEE, with the support of public sector sister group ADEDY, to protest against plans to reform the country's social security system. The government last week unveiled proposals to revamp the ailing social security system by raising the retirement age, changing how pensions are calculated and doing away with a number of special categories of pensions.
Greek Union Rallies Disrupt Shipping Routes
Public transport in Greece will grind to a halt on Tuesday for the second time in less than a week following calls from Greek union leaders for a strong May Day turnout against government plans for pension changes. Public transport workers have scheduled stoppages throughout the day. Flights and shipping will also be seriously disrupted. A mass walkout last Thursday crippled much of the country, despite a last minute decision by the government to freeze its controversial pension reform plans. The Panhellenic Seamen's Organization said its members would strike from 6 a.m. until midnight, keeping all ships in port. Two routes between northern Greece and northeast Greece and two between the main port city of Piraeus and Kalamata, at the tip of the Peloponnese peninsula, will also run.
