Friday, February 19, 2010

Greece Held Hostage By Unions; "Warning Strikes" In Germany; French President Sarkozy Battles Unions Over Benefits

For a change of pace, let's look at a trio of union problems in Greece, France, and Germany.

Greece Exports Foll 18% In Strike

Greek Customs Workers’ Strike Dents Exports, Cuts Fuel Supplies http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid= ... wTXaxB.8Vw

Greek motorists lined up at gas stations as fuel stocks dwindled while a strike by customs workers over government austerity measures stretched into a fourth day, hurting imports and exports.

The Federation of Greek Customs Workers called a three-day strike on Feb. 16 and decided yesterday to extend the action by six days to protest government austerity measures aimed at trimming Europe’s biggest budget deficit.

Greece is once again “hostage to strikes by powerful labor union groups,â€