Olympic News--July 27, 2004 Athens Hotel Staff and Doctors Plan Olympic Strikes
It wouldn't be Greece if there wasn't a strike. Both hotel workers and doctors are gearing up for strikes in August. Many unions are using the Olympics as an opportunity to demand more pay, and the hotel workers strike will begin just as IOC officials arrive in the capital city to examine the last-minute preparations. Due to the rising costs of the Games, the Greek government has been unwilling offer more pay increases.
The hotel union claims that workers[base '] monthly take-home pay is among the lowest for hotel workers in Europe.
The threatened strike is part of a larger wave of protests by Greek unions using the approaching games to win concessions, including a one-time Olympic bonus.
Doctors at a Athens hospital staged a three-hour strike today to demand bonuses for extra duty during the Olympics. On Wednesday, doctors in the Athens area plan a six-hour strike.
BBC:
Athens installs Patriot missiles
Patriot missiles and a zeppelin are all part of the security measures now in place in Athens.
Anti-aircraft missiles are in place at three Athens sites, including Tatoi airfield near the athletes' village, and elsewhere around Greece.
It is part of a 1.2bn-euro security plan ($1.bn), the most costly in the history of the games.
Hundreds of surveillance cameras are also being installed around Athens.
The Greek authorities said the US-made Patriot missiles were progressively installed from 1 July, and would remain in place until after the games end on 29 August.
Macedonian Press Agency:
NATO's Special Forces to Arrive in Greece on Friday
Contrary to previous claims by the Greek government, NATO troops will be stationed in the nation.
As soon as Friday, 120 troops trained to deal with Nuclear, biological and chemical attacks will arrive
6:43:40 AM
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