The union of the civil servants and the union of the working in the private sector, the biggest two Greek confederations, are officially on strike today October 21^st with the motto that ordinary working people  should not pay the price of the economic crisis. Unions protest against financial policy of Costas Karamanlis administration, social security reform, privatization, the 2009 estimates, fiscal policy, the increasing cost of living and unemployment. Unions have arranged a big procession today at 11.00 a.m. in front of the Greek Parliament.

       Similar demonstrations are expected in Thessaloniki, Patras and other big cities. All of the state, regional and local institutions, taxation offices, banks and schools are closed today due to the strike. State hospitals perform only emergencies. All of the scheduled surgeries are postponed. Unions of lawyers, engineers and journalists join the protest. Greece will be without news for twenty four hours. Radio stations broadcast only music, and television - music and movies. There will be no papers tomorrow morning. Internet sites will not be updated with news till 6.00 a.m. tomorrow.

       Transportation workers are participating as well. Buses are moving between 8:00a.m. till 6:00 p.m. to make it easier for the union members. The electrical train connecting Athens and Piraeous is operational from 9:00 a.m. till 5:00 pm. The subway is available between 9:00 a.m. till 5:00 p.m. only at the northern suburbs of the Greek capital and does not take routes to the airport. All trams, trolleys and trains in the suburbs are not available for twenty four hours.

       Olympic Airlines have announced that they perform only one flight per destination while Aegean Airlines have cancelled twenty-four flights for today. “Eleftherios Venizelos” International Airport neither will accept landing airplanes, nor will give permission for take-offs due to strike of air controllers between the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 4.00 p.m. today.

       The tradesmen continue the strike tomorrow when they close their stores for one day in a protest against the fiscal policy of the government.

                                                                                                  www.GRREPORTER.INFO