GREECE: Striking subway workers in Athens are issued with notices ordering them to return to work

Record ID: 341064

  • Title: GREECE: Striking subway workers in Athens are issued with notices ordering them to return to work
  • Date: 25th January 2013
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF ORDER DOCUMENT
  • Embargoed: 9th February 2013 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Greece
  • Country: Greece
  • Topics: Politics,Transport
  • Reuters ID: LVA7IMH43JHDHWFLUFYSR6LHHRFI
  • Story Text: Striking subway workers in Athens were issued with Government notices ordering them to return to work on Friday (January 25), in a standoff that has paralysed public transport in the city.
    The Greek capital's subway lines remained shut for the ninth day as most subway workers continued the strike, which has been ruled illegal by the courts, against planned wage cuts.
    Some were back on the job after being served the orders or face arrest and up to five years in jail.
    Main opposition party SYRIZA has criticised the government's action.
    "These things that are happening in Greece are horrendous and bring in memory other, darker times. We have a government that acted in the dead of the night with marshal law methods," said SYRIZA's Panagiotis Lafazanis.
    Earlier on Friday, scuffles broke out when police forced their way through a metal gate shortly after 4 a.m. at the subway depot where 90 workers had gathered overnight in protest.
    Police detained at least 10 workers, an official said on condition of anonymity. One woman was taken to hospital with light injuries Other transport unions held strikes in solidarity with subway workers on Friday, leaving Athens without bus, trolley, tram and rail service and traffic jams across the city.
    Public anger has grown against the strike which affects more than half a million commuters in the city of 5 million people.
    Subway employees oppose being included in a unified wage scheme for public sector workers drawn up under an austerity programme that would slash their salaries.
    The showdown has turned into the latest test for Greece's fragile three-party ruling coalition as it faces down powerful unions to implement austerity measures demanded by foreign lenders as the price for bailout funds.
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