Greek Trade Unions Preparing New Strike

Two of the largest trade unions in Greece are planning another general strike as parliament prepares to discuss the government’s fresh austerity measures, Greek media reported Thursday. The ongoing general strike, which began on Wednesday, is the first since the country’s coalition government took office three months ago. Tens of thousands of protesters have taken to the streets in Athens in violent demonstrations against the austerity measures. Rally participants threw stones at police and Molotov cocktails at the parliament building in a central square, while police responded with tear gas. According to the authorities, more than 100 people were detained. Private sector trade union GSEE reported that its workers stopped working across several industries. The strike involved 100 percent of the country's maritime transport and oil refinery employees, 90 percent of port officials and construction workers, and about 80 percent of hospitality and trade workers, as well as state bankers. The strike set for Thursday will include employees from the Finance Ministry, which proposed the austerity measures, in protest against the planned cuts in their salaries. The Greek government announced that it would cut government spending by about 12 billion euros, while coalition leaders in parliament claim the debate over austerity is still in progress.