Greece: Garbage piles mount in capital as heatwave looms
ATHENS, Greece — With a heat wave expected later this week, Greece’s government on Monday failed to persuade striking garbage collectors to return to work after a 10-day protest left huge piles of trash around Athens.
Striking workers scuffled with riot police in central Athens outside the stuttered entrance of the Interior Ministry building, where a union delegation presented its demands.
Nikos Trikas, leader of the municipal workers’ union, said the strike would continue at least until Thursday, with more protests planned on that day.
“The government rejected our demands in three minutes. They have taken their decisions and will allow private contractors to participate in garbage collection,” Trikas told the AP, surrounded by dozens of striking workers wearing orange caps to shield themselves from the sun.