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Union Sponsored Mass Demonstrations in Greece

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The General Confederation of Greek workers (GSEE), the union of civil servants (ADEDY) and unionists affiliated with the KKE communist party began their first face-off with the young Greek coalition government.

These unions have prevented flights, created havoc with local transportation and have closed the services of public offices.  The demonstrations are occurring in about sixty five cities and villages including Athens.

The strike includes air traffic controllers, hospital workers, ship workers and even tax collectors.

Unionist Despina Spanou… “We call on everyone to take part in the strike and resist the austerity measures that hurt Greek people and the economy,”

Source

News

Greeks Withdraw $1 Billion a Day Ahead of Vote

Reuters | June 13, 2012 | 07:01 AM EDT

Greeks pulled their cash out of the banks and stocked up with food ahead of a cliffhanger election on Sunday that many fear will result in the country being forced out of the euro.

Bankers said up to 800 million euros ($1 billion) were leaving major banks daily and retailers said some of the money was being used to buy pasta and canned goods, as fears of returning to the drachma were fanned by rumors that a radical leftist leader may win the election.

The last published opinion polls showed the conservative New Democracy party, which backs the 130 billion euro ($160 billion) bailout that is keeping Greece afloat, running neck and neck with the leftist Syriza party, which wants to cancel the rescue deal.

As the election approaches, publishing polls is now legally banned and in the ensuing information vacuum, party officials have been leaking contradictory “secret polls”.

On Tuesday, one rumor making the rounds was that Syriza was leading by a wide margin.

“This is nonsense,” one reputable Greek pollster said on condition of anonymity. “Our polls show the picture has not changed much since the last polls were published. Parties may be leaking these numbers on purpose to boost their standing.”

via CNBC