Greek Unions Plan 24-Hour Strike Against Austerity, Asset Sales

Greece’s ports, banks, hospitals and state-run companies will be brought to a halt tomorrow as the two biggest labor unions strike to oppose Prime Minister George Papandreou’s budget cuts and asset sales.

ADEDY, the largest public-sector union, and the General Confederation of Labor, or GSEE, the biggest private-sector union, have called the third general strike of the year in protest at the government’s five-year fiscal plan and program of state asset sales, according to e-mailed union statements.

The 78 billion-euro ($113 billion) package, which includes sales of state holdings in companies and lower public-sector wages, was submitted to parliament on June 9, after approval by the cabinet. The measures are aimed at getting more aid after a 110 billion-euro, EU-led bailout, agreed in May last year, failed to secure market access for Greek bonds in 2012.

Public-sector workers, hospital employees, bank workers, police officers and journalists will participate in the 24-hour strike. Ferry schedules will be disrupted and work stops will take place in public transit during the day.

To contact the reporters on this story: Natalie Weeks in Athens at nweeks2@bloomberg.net; Eleni Chrepa in Athens at echrepa@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Angela Cullen at acullen8@bloomberg.net