Greek gov't forcing end to Athens metro strike

Striking metro workers stand under a banner that reads: "Strike 8th Day'' at the the central depot in Athens, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013. Greece’s conservative prime minister is holding emergency meeting after a deadline for striking public transport workers expired, leaving Athens’ subway system closed for an eighth day. Strikers protesting pay cuts refused to return to work Thursday despite a court decision declaring their protest illegal. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

By DEREK GATOPOULOS and ELENA BECATOROS

Associated Press / January 24, 2013

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‘‘The Greek people have made sacrifices. Huge sacrifices. And I cannot allow exceptions,’’ Prime Minister Antonis Samaras said. ‘‘Besides, public transport doesn’t belong to unions. It belongs to the people, who have the right to use it and not to be inconvenienced from morning to night.’’

‘‘So let everyone understand it: the mistakes of the past will not be repeated.’’

Unions and the main opposition party, the radical left Syriza, responded to the mobilization order with outrage, saying it was reminiscent of a military dictatorship.

‘‘They have declared martial law against the workers. Problems cannot be resolved with martial law,’’ said Syriza lawmaker Panagiotis Lafazanis.

Separately, a seamen’s union announced a 48-hour ferry strike starting next Thursday to protest recent changes in labor laws that will allow more employees to be hired on short-term contracts.

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Efty Katsareas in Athens contributed.