Called by the General Confederation of Greek Workers and ADEDY, the civil service union federation, the mobilizations are demanding a halt to plans by the social democratic Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) government to raise the retirement age by at least five years, to cut benefits by about 29 percent, and to take away benefits from workers in hazardous jobs, such as the mining and chemical industries.

Facing mounting opposition leading up to the April 26 strike, the government announced it would freeze its proposals and called for negotiations with the unions.

The May 17 strike called for additional state funding for the pension fund and for signing up 1 million immigrants and other workers not currently covered by it.

Workers in the metal industry, from shipyards and ports, in transit and the rail system, and others joined the strike and march, as did many unorganized workers who hadn't participated in the April 26 action to the same extent. This time, many shopkeepers also struck. A walk through neighborhoods in Athens confirmed that more than half of the small stores had their shutters down in support of the strike, with many having signs posted to that effect.

Natasha Terlexis is a member of the Federation of Air Transport Employees. Georges Mehrabian is a chemical worker.  
 
 
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