Greek flights halted by civil servant protest

[July 15, 2010]  ATHENS, Greece (AP) -- Flights in Greece have been grounded for at least four hours by a civil servants' protest against austerity measures and an overhaul of the country's pension system.

Air traffic controllers joined Thursday's protest, halting flights to all Greek airports in the morning until noon.

Public hospitals and other state-run services were also affected by the protest, held as parliament prepared to vote on pension reforms for public servants.

Greek hotel owners have warned that the constant strikes are disrupting international bookings to Greek resorts.

On Wednesday, hundreds of Greek police, firefighters and harbor police in Athens held a peaceful protest against the government's pension reforms, which they say will increase their minimum retirement age to 60, from around 53.

The workers say it will be hard to do their job effectively at that age.

[Associated Press]

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