Hotel workers threaten Olympic strike

Athens’ hotel workers, demanding their wages be doubled, will stage a one-day strike next week and threatened to continue their protest during the August 13-29 Games.

“If our proposals are not accepted, the workers will decide the next protest which will probably be during the Olympics,” said union representative Nikos Papageorgiou.

The official works at the Metropolitan Hotel which will host officials from the world soccer’s governing body, FIFA, during the games.

The hotel workers’ union has called for a strike on August 4 demanding that monthly minimum pay rise from €491 to €1,086.

Workers at hotels reserved for Olympic employees will receive a bonus of €188.

Several labour unions are pressing for Olympic bonuses, to compensate longer working hours and shorter holidays. The government has already promised bonuses of €2,400 to police and other personnel providing Olympic security.