GREECE: Greek trade unions go on strike over the government's snap decision to pull the plug on the public broadcaster ERT

Record ID: 341156

  • Title: GREECE: Greek trade unions go on strike over the government's snap decision to pull the plug on the public broadcaster ERT
  • Date: 13th June 2013
  • Summary: ATHENS, GREECE (JUNE 13, 2013) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF EMPTY RAILWAY STATION VARIOUS OF TROLLEYS PARKED AT DEPOT VARIOUS OF BUSES PARKED AT DEPOT VARIOUS OF EXTERIOR OF HEADQUARTERS OF STATE BROADCASTER ERT ERT SIGN ON BUILDING BANNER OUTSIDE HEADQUARTERS, READING (Greek): "ERT is and will remain open" VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS OUTSIDE BUILDING HOLDING UMBRELLAS VARIOUS OF PROTES
  • Embargoed: 28th June 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Greece
  • Country: Greece
  • Topics: Communications,Economy,Employment,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA29MVFQYJDEQX2WBPDLX1QSE5B
  • Story Text: Buses and subway trains stopped running in Athens on Thursday (June 13) as Greek workers staged a nation-wide strike in protest against the "sudden death" of state broadcaster ERT, switched off in the middle of the night by the government.
    ERT employees continued to conduct continuous news bulletins tapping into small analogue channels or Greek websites to keep the station visible in defiance of the shutdown.
    The government described its decision to shut the 75-year-old broadcaster as a temporary measure before its re-launch in slimmed-down form.
    But some employees expected much worse.
    "We are scared that nothing will happen because they seem decided. I have been here two days and two nights, there is nothing left for us to do. We are fighting for our survival," said copy editor Theodora Tsabodimou, who has worked for ERT for 15 years.
    Several marches are expected to culminate in demonstrations outside ERT's headquarters, where workers and supporters from all walks of life have gathered since the closure was announced.
    "As far as the strike is concerned, I agree with it, for the strike is not just about ERT anymore, ERT is just the tip of the iceberg," said Athens resident Katerina.
    But there was little sign of private businesses joining the strike. City streets were full with commuters and car traffic, supermarkets were open for business and cafes were serving customers as usual.
    Some Athens residents had a different view on the strike.
    "On the one hand, people are getting fired, but on the other hand there are way too many of them. And the people have to foot the bill," said pensioner Panagiotis Panagopoulos.
    About 2,600 ERT employees are to lose their jobs. Some of them are to be re-hired in the new broadcaster which is expected to employee about 1,200 people.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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