Greek unions vow to step up protests over stringent austerity measures

[Turborama]

Source: The Guardian

Helena Smith in Athens | Thursday December 23 2010 18.23 GMT

Greek unions vowed to step up the relentless stream of protests that have paralysed the debt-stricken country in the run up to Christmas, after parliament approved an austerity budget described as the toughest since the second world war.

The spectre of yet more strikes came as prime minister George Papandreou pledged to push ahead with the unprecedented economic reforms dictated by the EU and IMF as part of the €110bn (£93.5bn) bailout. In a display of his determination to override growing dissent within his own party over the measures, the socialist leader insisted he would not waver.

"We will not go bankrupt," he said addressing the 300-seat house ahead of the crucial vote. "We will do whatever it takes to succeed. We will change this country."

But despite the fighting talk, Papandreou faces what is fast being called a struggle between the gruelling conditions of the "memorandum" Greece signed with its international creditors last May and mounting anger over policies widely seen as unfair.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/dec/23/greek-unions-will-step-up-cuts-protest

[Imajika]

1. Have the Greek unions accomplished anything?

Looks to me like the Greek unions have utterly failed to even put a dent in "austerity", and the ruling Socialist party did surprisingly well in the most recent elections which indicates that most Greeks are willing to go along with the IMF/EU bailout program.

[Arctic Dave]

2. Until they work.

If the peons don't work, the overlords don't make money.