GREECE: Greek school teachers go on a 24-hour strike

Record ID: 338585

  • Title: GREECE: Greek school teachers go on a 24-hour strike
  • Date: 27th November 2007
  • Summary: (EU) ATHENS, GREECE (NOVEMBER 26 2007) (REUTERS) TEACHERS GATHERED AT UNIVERSITY IN ATHENS MEMBER OF TEACHERS UNION SPEAKING TO CROWD CROWD LISTENING (SOUNDBITE) (Greek) PRESIDENT OF THE TEACHERS UNION, DIMITRIS BRATIS SAYING: "This strike will be a milestone, it will be the barrier that will thwart the government's plans." TEACHERS MARCHING PAST UNIVERSITY IN CENTRAL ATHE
  • Embargoed: 12th December 2007 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Greece
  • Country: Greece
  • Topics: Education
  • Reuters ID: LVAE8D06G2OK558HJZCBOU0BXSWQ
  • Story Text: Greek school teachers go on a 24-hour strike, the first of a wave of protests that will hit the country over the government's plan to reform the social security system.
    Striking Greek schoolteachers rallied in central Athens on Monday (November 26) demanding more funds for education and opposing planned pension reforms.
    The action launched a new wave of anti-government protests lasting until mid-December.
    The conservative government, which won a second term in September, has pledged to reform the ailing pension system, which experts say will go bust in 15 years if it is not overhauled because of an ageing population and rising longevity.
    About 2,000 teachers took part in the Athens rally, part of a 24-hour nation-wide work stoppage.
    Unions have opposed the reform plan, which includes raising the retirement age, merging pension funds and raising monthly contributions, saying they will fight any measure that erodes existing rights.
    The government has also said it will push forward with its plan to allow the creation of private universities to increase competitiveness in education.
    The conservatives promised in 2004 they would gradually raise education spending to five percent of the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) from about 3.5 percent. But in the 2008 budget submitted to parliament last week they earmarked 3.6 percent of the GDP, about 6.77 billion euros, for education.
    At the Athens rally teachers and students marched towards parliament, bringing traffic to a standstill, and shouting: "Hands off our schools.
    The government must deliver what it promised".
    On Tuesday (November 27), journalists will hold a 24-hour work stoppage opposing plans to merge their pension fund with those of other professions, followed by doctors and nurses early next week.
    A nationwide strike of civil service staff and all workers' unions is planned for December 12.
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