Greeks Halt Flights, Close Shops, Schools With 24-Hour Strike Against Cuts

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Greeks Halt Flights, Shut Shops as Strikes Escalate (Update1)
By Maria Petrakis


May 5 (Bloomberg) -- Greek air-traffic controllers and teachers walked off their jobs and shopkeepers shuttered their stores to challenge Prime Minister George Papandreou’s latest decision to cut wages and pensions and raise taxes in return for a 110 billion-euro ($143 billion) rescue package.

Air-traffic controllers effectively closed down Greek airspace as part of the 24-hour general walkout supported by the country’s public and private-sector unions. Athens International Airport, the country’s biggest, cancelled all flights into and out of the airfield a day after dozens of flights were grounded due to a public-sector protest.

Today’s strike, the third general strike this year, follows Papandreou’s announcement of a second set of wage cuts for public workers, a three-year freeze on pensions and a second increase this year in sales taxes and the price of fuel, alcohol and tobacco in return for a bailout from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund. The austerity measures have been called “savage” by union groups.

“These measures are unjust and should be paid for by those politicians over the past 30 years who have led us here,” said Barbara Tzerbou, 37, a lawyer, who came to central Athens with her brother to participate in her first-ever protest. Papandreou “had choices; we didn’t need to get as far the IMF,” she said.

‘IMF OUT’

Protesters daubed “IMF OUT” in red paint on pillars around the centrally located Finance Ministry. Stores in the main shopping street of Ermou were mainly open for business, with some lowering shutters over display windows to protect against any violence. Thousands of people walked slowly down the city’s streets to the Greek Parliament. ..........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=adajyWmY_66I&pos=8