General strike in Greece protests austerity measures

ATHENS, Greece, Nov. 12 (UPI) -- Greece was brought to a standstill Thursday by its first general strike since the anti-austerity government of Alexis Tsipras took power.

Unions, key supporters of Tsipras' Syriza party, protested in the streets of Athens, bringing much of the city to a standstill. The list of workers taking a day off to strike included doctors, pharmacists, teachers, public servants, bank workers and transportation workers.

They accuse Tsipras of bowing to the demands of Greece's creditors despite his pledge not to give in to national belt-tightening while his party sought power in parliamentary elections.

Greece is negotiating with the International Monetary Fund and European Union creditors, promising policies including rules on foreclosures and overdue taxes more in line with European practice, to obtain a $10.7 billion loan.

Greek banks need to raise $15.4 billion to stay solvent.

The loan package is one of a series granted Greece as it attempts to climb out of near-bankruptcy. Greece received its third multi-billion euro bailout in five years during the summer, with terms including commitments to implement austerity measures and economic reforms. Acting on the promises insures a regular flow of loan money, but the country must balance between creditors' demands and social unrest.

Thursday's general strike comes as Greece announced its unemployment rate in August remained at 24.6 percent in August.

Greece's largest trade unions, ADEDY and GSEE, have made clear the aim of the 24-hour strike is to prevent enactment of austerity polices agreed to by Tsipras' government during the summer.