Greece Uses Military Transport in Trucker Strike

VOA News
July 31, 2010 at 5:42 pm

Greek authorities are using military trucks and gasoline company vehicles to restore fuel supplies, cut by a crippling strike by truckers.

Officials say military vehicles are supplying fuel to airports, hospitals and power stations. Police escorted trucks Saturday on the way to and from refineries to prevent interference from strikers.

More than 30,000 truckers have been on strike since Monday to protest government plans to make the trucking industry more competitive.

The resulting fuel shortages have been especially hard on Greek islands, delaying food and other deliveries during the busy tourist season.

Greece has been beset with strikes for months, with various interest groups demonstrating against the government austerity measures, aimed at reducing the country’s huge deficit.

Greece has committed to implement a series of unpopular measures, including pensions and benefit cuts, to secure an international bailout for its unprecedented financial crisis.

Truckers who defied the government’s emergency order Wednesday to return to work are facing criminal prosecution. Some information in this story was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.