Greek Truckers Usher In European Union Protests

ATHENS, Greece (Sept. 22) -- Greek truckers weren't celebrating Europe's no-car day today when they clashed with police, parked hundreds of truck on two main motorways and sealed off traffic around Athens.

The protest marked the latest show of defiance against a government shake-up of labor rules liberalizing so-called closed-shop professions. The reforms are part of conditions set out by the European Union and the International Monetary Fund for a $144 billion bailout package provided to debt-ridden Greece earlier this year.

Protesting for a 10th day and waving Greek flags, truck drivers clashed with police outside the nation's parliament as lawmakers began voting on the controversial bill. At least 250 protesters had camped out overnight on parliament's front lawn and marble benches.


Aiming to spur competition, the new measures abolish fixed fees and strict licensing rules that bar European commercial transport services from operating within the Greek market.

The truckers, the first of a string of professions to balk at the reforms, complain the changes are too abrupt and that many in the sector could face bankruptcy after taking out hefty loans to buy commercial transport licenses, each priced at as much as $278,000.

"We are being driven to extinction," said Giorgos Tsamos, head of the country's 33,000-strong truckers' association. "Many are still paying off those investments."

With ruling socialists controlling a comfortable majority in the 300-seat lower house, the measures are certain to pass, ending what the government billed "antiquated labor practices that stifled the market."

Protesters vowed to keep some 800 trucks parked on Greece's main motorways, continuing the road blockades that today caused traffic chaos on the outskirts of Athens, adding to delays in the shipment of goods to the rest of the country.

It remains unclear whether other professions, including pharmacists, engineers and lawyers, will heed the reforms or join in the swelling protests prickling the government as it tries to implement austerity reforms and usher in new measures to boost growth.

Facing a devastating debt crisis, Greece has sunk into its first recession in 16 years.

Economic austerity measures, however, are rousing the anger of many trade unions across Europe.

France braces for sweeping industrial action Thursday as unions vow to mobilize as many as 2.7 million workers to the streets to protest controversial pension reforms. Trade unions in Spain, where the government has embarked on a rigorous austerity plan, have called for a nationwide strike to challenge labor market liberalization. Militant Greek trade unions and protest groups representing workers, retailers, farmers and students are gearing for solidarity protests Thursday.

"We will continue to the end," Tsamos said. "We've lost everything. We have nothing to lose now."