General strike 


Last month, the two Greek union confederations — GSEE representing most workers and ADEDY representing public sector workers — called their members out in a one-day general strike to protest against the policies of the government. 


This is the second general strike since the government led by the left-wing SYRIZA party came to power in January 2015. 


The protest, which seriously disrupted transport and most public services, was particularly directed against the government’s pension plans. As part of the overall austerity plan, agreed with the European institutions and the International Monetary Fund last summer, the Greek government is attempting to increase pension contributions which, the unions argue, will damage employment prospects.