Took the AmeriKan MSM over a week to notice.
ATHENS — Some 2,500 protesting truck drivers, carrying Greek flags and shouting “shame’’ and “thieves,’’ marched through Athens yesterday and held a vigil outside parliament on the ninth day of demonstrations against planned labor market changes.
Late yesterday, riot police used tear gas to disperse a group of protesters who tried to break a police cordon and damaged a sentry post used by the ceremonial guard at the Unknown Soldier’s Tomb outside parliament.
No arrests or injuries were reported, and truckers said the violence was provoked by people who were not part of their protest.
Agent provocateurs working for the government to give the protesters a bad rap.
You know, the world is really getting tired of such transparent and obvious shit.
Unionists said they planned to spend the night in front of the parliament building — where the proposed changes are being debated over the next two days.
Oh, that is why it finally made the corporate paper.
Brief scuffles broke out earlier as some protesters threw plastic bottles of water and cups of iced coffee at riot police, who responded with stun grenades....
As night fell, the drivers sat in the street watching a parliamentary debate on the changes on an outdoor screen, as food vendors set up carts nearby....
Truckers have lined up their vehicles along highways and busy Athens roads since Sept. 13 to protest plans to abolish so-called closed-shop professions, which have jobs protected by fixed fees and rates and strict licensing rules.
And this is the FIRST I AM READING OF IT in my newspaper.
The new rules will eventually affect a number of other professional groups, including pharmacists and civil engineers.
Truck drivers say the changes are too abrupt and will bankrupt colleagues who have borrowed money to buy a truck license.
Transport Minister Dimitris Reppas rejected demands by the protest leaders to set a fixed price for the professional licenses, but insisted the government could grant them a tax break among other concessions.
“You cannot demand terms that shut people out of the profession. That doesn’t happen anywhere in Europe,’’ he said. “We are taking measures that will help professionals adapt to the new reality.’’
Greece has promised to reform its labor market as part of austerity measures agreed to in return for $144 billion in rescue loans from European countries and the International Monetary Fund.
Man, did Goldman Sachs and the banks ever screw Greece.
Labor unions fiercely oppose the austerity, arguing that less well-off Greeks are suffering disproportionately....
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Related:
"Greece... the most expensive military budget in Europe in per capita terms, and second only to the United States in the alliance"
But no money for their own people.
Notice how GOVERNMENTS ALWAYS have money for BANKS and WARS?
"Greek truckers block roads in protest" by Associated Press | September 23, 2010
ATHENS — Truck drivers blocked traffic for hours on Greece’s two busiest highways and clashed with police in front of parliament yesterday, as lawmakers approved a shake-up of labor market rules as part of an agreement for international rescue loans.
Is this the CHANGE you voted for, citizens of Greece?
The drivers, protesting for a 10th day, sealed off the highways outside Athens minutes after parliament voted in favor of legislation....
Where are the AmeriKan truckers, huh?
Protesters who had been camped outside parliament overnight left yesterday after minor scuffles with police, but vowed to mount a wildcat roadblock campaign through tomorrow....
After changing rules for truck drivers, the Socialist government has promised to introduce similar changes to end so-called closed shop professions, including pharmacists, lawyers, and architects.
Some socialism. Just proves that NAMES mean NOTHING!
“Greece is the only country out of the 27 in the European Union that still has these restricted rules (for truckers),’’ Transport Minister Dimitris Reppas told parliament. “Everyone knew this reform had to happen.’’
Aren't you glad you joined that PoS organization now?
In a week of escalating protests, workers at the state-run Hellenic Railways held a five-hour work stoppage, while local government workers are planning a strike today.
But now that the vote is done the corporate paper don't care no more!
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