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Louis Pio
2nd August 2004, 20:46
Greece: Olympic Games
US security companies ban shop stewards

In the build up to the Olympic Games in Athens incredible measures are being taken against militant trade union activists. Seventeen ambulance workers have been banned from going anywhere near the various stadiums.

The US companies running "security" are claiming this is for safety reasons. These workers are in no way a threat to the many people who will be attending the games. On the contrary they are dedicated ambulance workers whose skills are required when such huge numbers gather. Their "crime" is simply to be good shop stewards and trade union activists.

What this case reveals is the obtuse and reactionary nature of the managers of the US security companies. It also shows the servile nature of the new ND government that has bowed down to the dictates of US imperialism.

We call on workers around the world to protest against these measures and to support the strike of the Greek ambulance workers. Here we are providing a model protest letter. Send it to the Prime Minister of Greece: [email protected]
and to Sosialistiki Ekfrasi at: [email protected]

July 30, 2004
**********************


I/we protest strongly against the undemocratic and unconstitutional measures of the Greek government in refusing access to seventeen ambulance workers to all the venues where the Olympic Games are going to be held.

The government has given "security" reasons for taking this measure. Shop stewards are not terrorists! They pose no security threat.

The ND government is obeying the orders of US imperialism that wishes to impose in Greece the same undemocratic and anti-working class measures that they have been using in Iraq, Guantanamo and in the USA.

The Greek workers, and their brothers and sisters around the world, will not accept this. We therefore support the strike of the Greek ambulance workers and their demands and we call for the lifting of these measures.


http://www.marxist.com/Europe/greece_protest0804.html

Blackberry
3rd August 2004, 04:39
Here is more evidence of ruling class violence in Greece:

Radio 4 investigation reveals Olympic tragedy

At least 14 men have been killed and 180 construction workers have been injured in Athens as the city prepares to host the Olympic Games.

The true death toll could be as high as 40, a BBC Radio 4 investigation reveals.

Speaking on Radio 4's investigative programme, Face The Facts (Friday 23 July, at 12.30pm), Lampis Nikolaou, the President of the Greek Olympic Committee, admitted that the deaths and injuries were far greater than any other city to have hosted the Olympics in recent years.

...

"Men are being forced to work long shifts, up to 14 hours a day everyday, in very hot temperatures and under constant pressure to complete construction work in time for the Olympics," he says (George Theordorou, the General Secretary of the Greek Construction Workers Union).

[Full Story... (http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2004/07_july/23/face_facts.shtml)]