GREECE: No news in Greece as journalists join wave of strikes hitting country over pension reforms

Record ID: 339628

  • Title: GREECE: No news in Greece as journalists join wave of strikes hitting country over pension reforms
  • Date: 28th November 2007
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Greek) PRESIDENT OF JOURNALISTS UNION PANAGIOTIS SOMBOLOS, SAYING: "I believe the government has received the message from the thousands of colleagues here to stop the destruction of our pension systems and take back its plans."
  • Embargoed: 13th December 2007 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Greece
  • Country: Greece
  • Topics: Social Services / Welfare
  • Reuters ID: LVA74CI46LYDAAA2SG7HBJIBQDWR
  • Story Text: Journalists protest in Athens and stage a 24-hour strike as part of a series of walkouts by workers over government plans to reform the pension system.
    More than one thousand Greek journalists rallied in central Athens on Tuesday (November 27) to demand more funds for education and oppose planned pension reforms, launching a new wave of anti-government rallies lasting until mid-December All television and radio news bulletins were cancelled and newspapers would not be published on Wednesday.
    The journalists strike followed actions by teachers on Monday, as unions from various sectors are planning regular strikes until a general nation-wide walkout on December 12.
    Unions are opposed to government reforms to the pension system they say will raise payments and raise the retirement age.
    They are also opposed to the government's plans to merge more than 100 pension systems from different sectors into a few, which will cut benefits.

    "I believe the government has received the message from the thousands of colleagues here to stop the destruction of our pension systems and take back its plans." said President of the Journalists Union Panagiotis Sombolos.
    Police in riot gear were not on hand for this protest as in previous rallies that tended to be violent, but only regular police forces.
    Analysts have said the pension system, burdened by a large ageing population, will go bust in 15 years if it is not reformed.
    When re-elected in September the government had vowed not to raise the retirement age or cut benefits, and talks with unions on reforms have until now failed.
    Doctors, nurses and engineers are also planning strike action in the coming weeks.
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