Strikes threaten to disrupt Olympics

Doctors do it. Journalists, too. Lawyers and cab drivers take part and even priests have indulged.

Strikes and union protests in Greece have come in just about every fashion. But a new one could be brewing: walkouts during Olympic Games that begin in two weeks.

Ambulance drivers, paramedics and hotel workers have all called “warning” work stoppages to demand Olympic bonuses and other pay increases.

The 11th-hour threats to the government and employers are clear: cough up the cash or risk embarrassing strikes during Athens’ moment of global attention.

The government says it cannot afford any more bills with a runaway Olympic budget that could approach €12.1bn. But it also does not want to issue emergency decrees that could trample on Greek workers’ cherished right to protest.

“The strikes are justified,” said salesman Skefos Tsoukalis. “But it’s an entirely inappropriate time when we are the centre of the world’s attention.”

Internet technician Marianthi Katsoulis, 28, is less sympathetic.

“Obviously they shouldn’t be happening,” she said. ”It’s bad timing. It shouldn’t be done before or during the games.”

The heart of the protests is the Olympic bonus. The government set the precedent by giving bonuses of up to €3,000 to police and other personnel providing Olympic security. Now, others are asking for the same – especially since the August 13-29 Olympics have cancelled the traditional holiday month for civil servants and others.

But some say just the one-time payoffs are still not enough.

Unions cite statistics showing many Greek workers at the bottom of the Western European pay scale. Athens’ hotel workers – paid a monthly minimum from €560 - are demanding their wages be doubled. Otherwise, union leaders say, Olympic visitors may have to make their own beds and fend for themselves at hotels throughout the Athens area.

Hotel workers have set their next strike for Thursday.

“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, who works at the Metropolitan Hotel which will host officials from the world soccer’s governing body, Fifa, during the games.

An even scarier scenario for Olympic organisers – a transport strike – was apparently averted this week with a government promise for higher pay.

Striking is considered a valued democratic right in Greece and governments, fearing political fallout, are loath to tamper with it.

Police rarely intervene to stop near-daily protests and road blockades – even involving a few dozen workers – which cause hours of traffic congestion and head-pounding road rage.