Greek Hotel Workers Throw Down Gauntlet

Greek workers yesterday threatened to throw more than 800 hotels across Athens into chaos at next month's Olympics, vowing to stage surprise stoppages throughout the games if their long-standing demands are not met.

The threat of strike action could affect tens of thousands of visitors to the games, including royals and Olympic dignitaries, who will be staying at the capital's 40 most expensive establishments.

Workers said yesterday they "didn't care" if the likes of Spain's Queen Sofía, or the Prince of Wales, who is also due to fly in for the games, had to do without the five-star service they are used to.

"They are not on starvation salaries," said Christos Katsotis who heads the 11,500-strong union of hotel workers in the greater Athens area.

"And they have no idea that the people who will be serving them are on one-day contracts which do not provide for any health insurance or other benefits," he added as Athenian hotel staff staged their second, 24-hour strike in as many weeks.

"It's not our fault if hotels are not properly serviced."

Mr Katsotis denied that the workers were taking advantage of the Olympics, and said the union's demands dated back "at least 18 months".

"An employee with six years' experience earns around €487 (£330) a month, which is the equivalent of a night's room- rate in some hotels," he told the Guardian.

"When you think of the extraordinary profits that hotel proprietors make, it's really disgusting. The truth is that owners want everything their own way."

Unlike Greek archaeologists who also held their own day-long strike yesterday to press for extra "Olympic payments", the hotel employees must negotiate with private hotel operators, not the government which has agreed to boost salaries for security forces during the games.

Police, coast guard and fire brigade officials, among the 70,000 security personnel drafted to safeguard the event, will receive Olympic bonuses for working during Greece's traditional August break.

Hotel employees, who want their minimum salaries increased to €1,100 (£750), yesterday gave their bosses until next Tuesday to meet their demands.

If there is no satisfaction by then, Mr Katsotis pledged they would step up their action by holding staggered and impromptu stoppages throughout August.

"One day we might go on strike for 20 hours, the next eight, the next 48, we will have to see," he said, after convening a board meeting of heads of unions from individual hotels.

"As the Olympic Games are being waged, we will wage our own struggle."

Hotel labourers are not the only sector seeking more money this summer. Journalists also went on strike this week to press for extra pay.

And today workers on public transport will bring the Athenian transit system to a standstill with a six-hour walkout.

Desperate to keep a lid on the ballooning Olympic budget - which is projected to top €10bn - the ruling conservatives have resolutely ruled out meeting the demands.

The walkouts came amid growing signs of a turn-around in the fortunes of the Athens Olympics after Greece stunned football fans the world over on Sunday by winning Euro 2004.

An unexpected morale-booster, the victory has translated into increased ticket sales - not least from Greeks who had previously threatened to stay away from the games, the costliest in Olympic history, after months of international criticism over haphazard preparations.

Hoteliers also reported increased enquiries from foreign visitors.

The sudden surge in interest was interpreted as a sign that the Greeks had finally managed to dispel global scepticism over their ability to host the games following a football feat characterised by organisation, teamwork and extraordinary fitness.

Greeks of all ages and political persuasions say their amazing success at the summit of European soccer has not only imbued them with unprecedented national pride but has inspired them to host the best Olympics when they return to their ancient birthplace.

"Our performance in Portugal is the best passport, the best invitation to the games," said the Greek prime minister, Costas Karamanlis.