Greek binmen suspend strike
Greek binmen today suspended a 10-day nationwide strike and started to clear tens of thousands of tonnes of rubbish from the streets of the country’s cities.
Authorities said it would take at least three days to collect the rubbish, which caused public sanitation problems as huge mounds of stinking refuse crowded narrow pavements and street corners.
More than 50,000 tons of refuse piled up in greater Athens, with about 9,000 tons in downtown areas.
Municipal workers began their strike on April 5 in a campaign for pay rises and other benefits, including official designation of their work as “unhealthy and physically demanding”, which would allow early retirement.
The collectors’ union decided to suspend the strike early today after the government agreed to offer future talks if it ended.
Greek garbage collectors have held six strikes in the past year.
