Greek pension strike expands

ATHENS, Greece, March 6 (UPI) -- The Athens Stock Exchange resumed trading Thursday afternoon after being closed for three days by a strike over pensions that spread to other sectors.

Bank of Greece employees struck on Monday to protest the conservative government of Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis' proposal to merge some 150 state-backed pension investment funds into just 13, the Kathimerini news agency reported.

Wednesday, workers in the Public Power Corporation walked off the job, causing widespread blackouts in the country. As well, cargo operations shut down for 24 hours Wednesday when dock workers walked off the job. The report said municipal workers are planning a Friday walkout.

Wednesday night, Karamanlis made a rare national television address calling for restraint by unions and said the pension plan would be ultimately beneficial, the report said.

"It will be useful for this country, even if for the time being that makes me unpopular," said Karamanlis.