A riot police squad was called at the 6th floor of the Environment Ministry on Wednesday afternoon, as the PPC-unionists who had locked George Papaconstantinou in his office did not show a sign of surrender. A large group of unionists form GENOP-DEH, the Greek Public Power Company, had “occupied” the office of Environment Minister and formed FinMin, George Papaconstantinou, at 12 noon, protesting his plans to privaticize some PPC units.
Athens: GENOP-DEH union flags at the Environment Ministry
The riot police squad was called after five hours of occupation. There are reports about some tension between the unionists and the police, however no injuries occurred.
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Latest information has it the the police helped Papaconstantinou to escape through a back door and the parking area of the building. Unionists had warned, that the Minister and they will remain in the building until he withdraws the privatization draft bill that will be confirmed at the Parliament tomorrow, Thursday.
sources: zougla.gr, protothema.gr and newsit.gr
Fotopoulos is in hospital after, allegedly, being beaten with a baton in his ribs. http://www.kathimerini.gr/4dcgi/_w_articles_kathremote_1_08/02/2012_426829 Let´s buy batteries!
they go on 24-h strike and a protest march (outside the Parliament I think, not sure though)
Can’t remember what they did last time… Was that when Fotopoulos was arrested? But it would be wonderful to have an nice candlelit evening in front of the tsaki… If only it wasn’t so terribly cold at the moment. It goes through everything and we don’t have snow. Must be hell up north!
So, let’s hope GENOP-DEH wil see the light. 😛
they occupied… DEH I think lol It smeels like snow here, in snows in the nothern suburbs