1.
GTV POLICE FORCE IN ATHENS.
0.05

2.
LV DITTO, WITH CONSTRUCTION WORKERS ARRIVING FOR MEETING.
0.08

3.
TV POLICE LORRIES FORM ROAD BLOCK.
0.12

4.
GV THOUSANDS OF WORKERS AT MASS MEETING.
0.18

5.
SV PRESIDENT OF THE CONSTRUCTION WORKERS ADDRESSING MEETING.
0.20

6.
TV DITTO WITH CROWD APPLAUDING.
0.25

7.
SV CROWD APPLAUD.
0.30

8.
GV MASS CROWD OUTSIDE BUILDING DURING SPEECH.
0.33

9.
TV PAMPHLETS ARE DROPPED INTO CROWD.
0.36

10.
GTV MASS CROWD.
0.43



Initials AA/S/AW/BB



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: REINFORCED POLICE FORCES WERE ON DUTY IN ATHENS YESTERDAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN THE COUNTRY'S BIGGEST UNION -- THE CONSTRUCTION WORKERS' WITH MORE THAN 120,000 MEMBERS -- STAGED A 24 HOURS STRIKE AND PROTEST MEETING IN THE CITY.

UNDER THE MOTTO "BREAD-FREEDOM-WORK" MANY OF THE COUNTRY'S 115 UNIONS HAVE STAGED PARTIAL STRIKES TO VOICE THEIR DEMANDS BEFORE A NEW GOVERNMENT TAKES OFFICE. FOR IN GREECE THE STAGE IS SET FOR WHAT OBSERVERS EXPECT TO BE THE MOST HOTLY-CONTESTED ELECTIONS SINCE WORLD WAR II. THE ELECTIONS ARE TABLED FOR NOVEMBER 3, AND THE NEWLY-ELECTED HOUSE WILL MEET FOR THE FIRST TIME ON DECEMBER 11.

(WHILE THE CONSTRUCTION WORKERS' MEETING WAS IN PROGRESS, THE GREEK GOVERNMENT REQUISITIONED ABOUT 135 TROLLEY BUSES AND ISSUED A MOBILISATION ORDER COVERING THE 850 DRIVER AND CONDUCTORS. THE GOVERNMENT ACTION FOLLOWED A SERIES OF STOPPAGES BY THE EMPLOYEES.)