Cutbacks Spark Strike By Thousands In Greece

Enraged by a new round of austerity measures, thousands of workers went on strike Thursday and brought business activity in the capital to a virtual standstill.

The 24-hour strike, called by the country’s two largest labor unions, disrupted transportation, utilities, banking and an array of other businesses in Athens.

Strikes were also held in the northern port city of Salonica and the Mediterranean island of Crete.

The strikers protested government plans to raise taxes and cut workers’ benefits - measures aimed a cutting the deficit and bringing Greece’s economy closer in lines with those of other European Union members.