News Summary: Greece gets extension for staff cuts
News Summary: As strikes intensify, lenders give Greece 3-month extension for reducing staff
A municipal worker sits in front of the entrance of Greek Parliament during a protest in central Athens, on Tuesday, July 9, 2013, as a demonstrator holds a banner which reads "Greek Parliament thieves". Greek municipal workers went on strike for the second day Tuesday to protest their inclusion in a government plan to reduce the number of civil servants and meet criteria for the country to continue receiving vital funds from its international bailout. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
EASING OFF: Greek officials announced the first details of a major staff cuts for its public sector Tuesday, but said rescue lenders have granted another three months to catch up.
THE BACKGROUND: The government missed a deadline for cutting 12,500 public sector jobs. It did announce it was placing 4,200 workers — including school guards and elementary school teachers — on an eight-month suspension with reduced pay before the end of July.
WORKERS UPSET: Even with the grace period, the disclosures sparked anger among unions who pledged to extending strikes and occupy city hall buildings. Greece has also promised to ax a further 15,000 jobs by the end of next year.
