Public and private sector unions in Greece will stage a general strike on 8 July

Public and private sector unions in Greece will stage a general strike on 8 July 2010 as part of continuing protests over the government's proposed pension reforms. The work stoppage -- the sixth general strike since the start of 2010 -- is expected to result in significant disruptions to transportation and other public services. Air traffic controllers will stage a four-hour strike beginning at 1000 local time (0700 UTC), during which time all flights will be suspended. Aegean and Olympic Air have cancelled 34 flights and rescheduled dozens of others in anticipation of the strike. Significant disruptions are also expected to affect public transportation in Athens, along with port operations, trains, hospitals, banks and other public services. There are at least two large-scale rallies scheduled to take place in central Athens; participants are expected to gather in Omonia Square and Klafthmonos Square and later march on the Parliament building.