Greece Braces for Media Protest, General Strike

Media employees and port workers will stage a nationwide strike in Greece on Tuesday, a day ahead of a 24-hour general strike against austerity measures.

The media sector demands new collective contracts, as well as an end to mass layoffs and delays of salaries, as the website Dnevnik.bg has reported.

Privatization of two main ports (Thessaloniki port included), which was part of conditions set by international lenders in return of fresh tranches of Greece's bailout, is also triggering the outrage of protesters.

Stike actions scheduled for Wednesday were called by the country's two leading trade unions, private-sector GSEE and public-sector ADEDY.

Plans for new job cuts and plans for so-called "mobility scheme" in the state sector allowing for a easier dismissal should be scrapped, unions say.

State hospitals on Wednesday will be open only in case of emergency, as doctors, medical and administrative personnel have announced they will participate in the strike. Air-traffic controllers are mulling whether to temporarily halt activity.

Parts of Greece could come to a standstill on that day, as the railway sector and bus transport workers have declared they will join the action.

Teachers, court and prison staff are also to take part, Greek newspaper Kathimerini reports.

In Greek Parliament in Athens, legislation regarding port privatizations schemes is due to be debated at the same time.

This will be the first strike against austerity for 2014, after the last half a decade saw repeated nationwide protests and strike actions demanding an end to severe budget restrictions and layoffs affecting the life of thousands of Greeks.