ATHENS, Greece - A general strike halted public transportation across Greece are Wednesday and led to cancellation of The More than 100 flights at Athens International Airport, unions have stepped up opposition to the Country's austerity measures ".
State hospital doctors, ambulance drivers, pharmacists, lawyers and tax collectors aussi joined school teachers, journalists and Thousands of Small Business in the 24-hour strike as more middle-class groups Took part in The Protest Than Have In The Past.Athens' main shopping district WAS Mostly empty, small business owners have Many shuttered Their Stories.
This year's first Major Labor Protest in Greece as Prime Minister Began George Papandreou's Socialist Government faces international pressure to make more cuts Lasting After the nation's debt-crippled economy WAS Rescued from bankruptcy by The European Union & the International Monetary Fund.
Riot police Took up positions around the City is midday Wednesday ahead of Two Rallies to Parliament Amid fear the mass protests "could turn violent.
The protest organizers urged Government to Prevent Potentially violent groups from blending in peaceful With Protesters - a common problem for Greek police at large rallies.
"Those Who organizes rallies must font aussi em. Everyone Has The Right To Express Their views to protest in peaceful It Must Be ...It Will Be a critical day, "Public Order Minister Christos Papoutsis said.
The strike halted trains, ferries and public transportation MOST Across the country, and idled Many airlines At The International airport.
"For U.S. Workers, Even Though The legislation (for austerity measures) Has Passed, They Are not a part of our lives. We Have Them not accepted," striking postal worker Dimitris Katsantonis Said while standing Outside a closed central Athens post office No teletrak payday loan.
Unions are angry at austerity Ongoing Measures put in place by the Socialist Government in exchange for a euro110 billion ($ 150 billion) bailout loan package from European Countries and the IMF.
Stathis Anestis, deputy leader of Greece's Largest Union, The GSEE, Said Workers Should Not Be Asked to make more sacrifices Düring A Third straight year of recession.
"The Measure Forced On Us By The agreement With Our lenders are harsh and unfair. ...We Are Facing long-term austerity with High Unemployment and destabilizing o social structure, "Anestis Told The Associated Press." What is Increasing Is The level of anger and desperation ... If police continue thesis harsh, so Will We. "
Anestis around 60 Said Were Being Planned demonstrations in cities and towns across Greece, GSEE While The Talk with WAS in European Labor Unions to try and coordinate future strikes with Other EU countries.
Earlier this month, international monitors debt Said Needed Greece has "significant acceleration" of long-term Reformed to Avoid Economic icts missing targets.It urged the Socialist aussi Government to Embark was euro50 billion ($ 68 billion) program to pay for Privatization of Some icts Mounting National Debt That Is Set to Exceed 150 Percent Of The GDP this year.
The IMF has Said Some Of The frequent demonstrations against-the Greek Government's Reforms Were Being Carried out by groups angry at Losing their "unfair advantages and privileges."
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AP Television's Theodora Tongas Contributed to this report.
