Union Members Storm Greek Labor Ministry After Changes Proposed to Strike Law

Members of a Greek trade union stormed the labor ministry building in Athens on December 5, a day after parliamentarians proposed changes that would make it more difficult for unions to strike.

In this footage, a crowd breaks through the metal barrier of the building to enter the main hallway. The protest was organized by PAME, a trade union associated with the Communist Party of Greece.

On December 4, Greek parliamentarians proposed to increase the percentage of union members required to approve a strike to above 50 percent, and then immediately withdrew the proposal after unions and opposition parties objected, local media said.

The SYRIZA government agreed to implement the new strike rules as well as other changes to labor law as a part of their negotiations with Greece’s creditors. Credit: katiousa.gr via Storyful