The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-03-11

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From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] PPC-Unions Agreement

11 Mar 2008 08:06:00

Sources: NET 105.8

The Board of the state-run Public Power Corporation (PPC) and the unions agreed on a more electricity production output and shorter power cuts. Two plants in Ptolemaida and Keratsini were also agreed to resume operation. Skeleton staff will be sent at the mines in Ptolemaida and Megalopoli, where the lignite stocks are alarmingly low. The Corporation, on the other hand, issued a press release reading that it would try to have power cut duration reduced to an hour. In the meantime, the results of the preliminary investigation requested by the PPC Board are due out in the days to come. The PPC unions, on their part, filed lawsuits. The carnival excursionists return to urban centres is expected to increase power demand.

Translated by Areti Christou

[02] Reactions by Unions

11 Mar 2008 08:24:00

By Nasos Bratsos

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105,8

The introduction of the pension bill into the Parliaments relevant committee will trigger a new round of wrangling. Opposing the increase in retirement age limits, the trimming of subsidiary pensions and the fund unification, trade unions have heralded fresh strike actions. With the PPC staff still on strike, both the public and private sector umbrella unions, GSEE and ADEDY, have announced a three-hour work stoppage on Wednesday from 1pm to 3pm, while they have already called for a 24-hour nationwide strike on 19 March. Garbage collectors will be on strike up until Wednesday, intensifying the problems caused by the carbage pile-ups. Their union, POE-OTA, is to decide Thursday on their future stance. POE-OTA head Themis Balasopoulos told NET radio station that the Government fell back on its promises and that the strike would go on at least until Sunday. Employees at the Bank of Greece are on a 24-hour strike, while OTOE (Hellenic Federation of Bank Employee Unions) will join Wednesday the three-hour work stoppage called by GSEE, and will hold a 48-hour strike on 13 and 14 March. Lawyers, doctors, notaries, engineers and pharmacists will also go out on a strike on Wednesday. Furthermore, there will be no underground and electrical train services from 12pm to 3pm on Wednesday, while there will be no services at all on Thursday.

[03] Oil Prices Dip

By Anna Kourti

Sources: AFP, ANA-MPA

Oil prices are slightly down in the Asian markets electronic trading on Tuesday, following the new record highs New York crude oil posted temporarily amounting to 108.21 dollars per barrel. In Singapore, crude oil for April contracts was 19 cents lower in the morning to 107.71 dollars, while North Sea Brent stood at 104.05 dollars, down by 11 cents. Analysts have put down the upward spiral to the US fuel recession, the daily OPEC output and the slumping dollar currency that has directed investors to oil purchase to safeguard their proceeds.

Related News:

Skyrocketing Oil Prices

[04] Caused by Bomb Attacks

11 Mar 2008 08:37:00

Sources: ANA, AFP, Reuters

Two blasts rocked Tuesday the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore, one outside a police building and another in a densely populated quarter, spread death. At least 19 were killed, while several sustained injuries. So far, the motives behind the attacks remain sketchy, while a fire broke out at the police building, eye witnesses were quoted as saying. The news of the fire was aired by Pakistans state-run television.

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