24-Hour Nationwide Strike Paralyzes Greece

Athens, Greece (AHN) - Everything stopped in Greece on Wednesday as the two main labor unions called for a nationwide strike, the second in two months, to protest the government's plan to reform its debt-ridden and fractured social security system. The 24-hour call will shut down public services, hospitals and schools.

The call of the General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) and the Civil Servants' Supreme Administrative Council (ADEDY), for a general strike also forced all flights in Greece airports to be cancelled. Air traffic controllers and civil aviation staff will join the walk out forcing all flights to be grounded.

Public transport will run only sporadically and hospitals will accept only emergency cases. Dentists, lawyers and teachers are also to walk off the job.

Even journalists have pledged to participate in the strike leaving television and radio networks to cancel all news programs. The Greek news agency ANA-MPA announced it will not transmit news from 6 a.m. Wednesday until 6 a.m. Thursday.

All schools, public services, municipalities, banks hospitals, industries and construction will remain close Wednesday, although no ships would be flying their routes in any Greek port.

Public transport will join the walk out expecting a major disruption in public commuter services, including the "blue" urban buses. Trolley buses will stage a five-hour work-stoppage from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.