Greek public sector unions planning fresh strikes

PanARMENIAN.Net - Transport workers in Greece have ended a two-week protest campaign against new austerity cuts, but public sector unions are planning fresh strikes over steep pay cuts that took effect this year, The Associated Press reports.

Public bus drivers voted to return to work early Wednesday, Jan 30, ending a campaign of rolling strikes and stoppages in the public transport system against cuts imposed as part of Greece's commitments made to its euro partners and the International Monetary Fund in return for bailout money needed to avoid bankruptcy.

The government used emergency powers to force subway employees back to work last week.

The reductions, which will cut 25 percent from the incomes of public servants, triggered a broader 24-hour strike planned for Thursday that will disrupt transport and other state-run service services.