Athens metro workers still on strike

By: Trowbridge Estate

   Greek metro workers have refused to go back to work for the sixth consecutive day due to recent pay cuts, leaving Athens in massive traffic jams.

   Workers at the state-run city bus, tram systems and trolley all joined in on the strike. Workers claim that their new salaries would not be enough to cover their cost of living and therefore do not see any reason to return to work.

    The Metro worker’s union have stated that it will not back down, despite Monday night’s court ruling, which allows the government to force strikers back to work through emergency powers.

     The strike has made some commuters unhappy, as many who have also seen their incomes cut find it difficult to show sympathy. The strike has also caused numerous people to arrive to work late.

     New austerity measures have been approved by the Parliament last month, for Greece to continue to receive 240 billion euros of bailout funds. Eurozone finance ministers have also agreed that a loan installment worth 9.2 billion euros will also be paid out to Greece after the European Financial Stability Facility approves it.  Most of this money will be used for recapitalizing the banks.