Thousands of protesters marched in Athens on Wednesday during a 24-hour general strike called by Greece's two largest unions against a government-sponsored pension reform, the second in two months.
A large demonstration spearheaded by whistle-blowing dockers in orange reflective jackets marched on the nation's parliament joiined by workers, journalists and other professionals who fear the reform will cut their pensions and raise the age of retirement.
The general strike called by the General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE) and the Confederation of Public Servants (ADEDY) comes two days before Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis is scheduled to give details on the reform after months of uncertainty about the full scope of the plan.
Analysts predict that the ruling conservatives, who have placed the reform at the top of their agenda after winning re-election in September, will have a tough time implementing it given the storm of opposition.
Wednesday's strike paralysed air traffic, trains and passenger ships, disrupted public services, shut down schools and confined hospitals to only treating emergency cases.
News bulletins also went off the air for the day as journalists joined the general strike - the second in two months - along with thousands of doctors, engineers and lawyers who oppose a planned merger of their pension funds. The conservative government insists the step is necessary to shield a number of loss-making funds and protect the pension system from a looming meltdown.
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