Greek workers stage work stoppages

ATHENS, June 22 (Reuters) Hundreds of thousands of Greek public and private sector workers walked off the job today in a nationwide work stoppage called by unions to support students protesting against government education reforms.

In Athens, workers at subway, trolley and suburban rail lines took part in a series of short work stoppages. Flights by state carrier Olympic Airlines were disrupted. Students gathered in central Athens for a rally.

Public sector umbrella union ADEDY has called for a 24-hour strike by civil servants and private sector umbrella union General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE) called for a three hour work stoppage.

The government wants to pave the way for the creation of the country's first private universities and change the way students and educators at public institutions are assessed.

It also wants to cap the number of years students can spend at university, ending a system that sees some studying for a first degree for a decade or longer.

Parliament is expected to vote on a new education law in the autumn.

Reuters PR VV1619