Photo: AP Protesters chant
slogans in central Athens, on Thursday, July 11, 2013. Public sector unionists
and municipality workers staged a protest Thursday against new austerity
measures that will push thousands of public sector workers out of work or
placed in a mandatory transfer program.
Mid.East NEWS - THESSALONIKI,
Greece (AP) Protesting municipal workers blockaded the entrance of city hall in
Greece's second largest city Thursday, amid mounting anger against new
austerity cuts that will affect thousands of public sector workers.
The
protesters unfurled a large banner reading "occupied" over the
entrance of the building in Thessaloniki. City halls in other cities were
reportedly also taken over - a union estimated "dozens" had been
occupied, a claim the government has not confirmed.
In
Athens, some 2,000 protesters filed through the city center - blowing whistles
and sounding off small sirens — on their way to parliament, where the new austerity
cuts are to be voted on next week.
The
measures are part of a broad plan to slash the size of Greece's bloated public
sector, which counts some 670,000 employees. The government has committed to
firing 15,000 people by the end of 2014 and transferring another 12,500 to new
positions this year.
Major
unions are backing the municipal workers with several protests planned in
Athens and a general strike on July 16, the day the new austerity bill is
likely to be voted. "The people here today and the workers have really
shown that they can resist (austerity measures)," Odysseas Drivalas,
leader of the civil servants' union ADEDY said.
"I
hope ... all the Greek people will take part in the general strike, with all
the workers and unemployed present because this situation is untenable."
Bailed-out Greece is suffering through a sixth year of recession with
unemployment reaching 26.9 percent in April, according to data reported
Thursday by the Greek Statistical Authority. It needs to push through the
public sector staff reforms to receive 6.8 billion euros ($8.9 billion) in
loans approved this week by rescue creditors.
The
conservative-led coalition government saw its majority slashed in parliament
when a small left wing coalition partner pulled out of the government,
protesting the sudden closure of state broadcaster ERT.
Photo: AP A striking
municipal police officer on motorcycle holds aGreece's flag during a protest,
outside the Greek parliament in central Athens, on Thursday, July 11, 2013.
Public sector unionists and municipality workers staged a protest Thursday
against new austerity measures that will push thousands of public sector
workers out of work or placed in a mandatory transfer program.
Photo: AP Striking
municipal police officer sit next to riot police guarding the entrance of
Athens' town hall during a protest, in central Athens, on Thursday, July 11,
2013. Public sector unionists and municipality workers staged a protest
Thursday against new austerity measures that will push thousands of public
sector workers out of work or placed in a mandatory transfer program.
Photo: AP A striking
municipal police officer waves a Greek flag next to riot police, left, guarding
the Athens' town hall during a protest, in central Athens, on Thursday, July
11, 2013. Public sector unionists and municipality workers staged a protest
Thursday against new austerity measures that will push thousands of public
sector workers out of work or placed in a mandatory transfer program.
Photo: AP A striking
Municipal police officer on motorcycle holds a Greek flag during a protest, in
central Athens, on Thursday, July 11, 2013. Public sector unionists and
municipality workers staged a protest Thursday against new austerity measures
that will push thousands of public sector workers out of work or placed in a
mandatory transfer program.
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