ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Police have broken up picket lines by strikers who have kept a steel factory outside Athens closed since Oct. 31 last year, detaining seven protesters.
Protest organizers said police used tear gas to disperse dozens of striking workers outside the entrance of the plant in Aspropyrgos, 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) west of the capital, and posted pictures of the incident on the Internet. Police did not confirm the use of tear gas.
The strikers are protesting layoffs at the Elliniki Halyvourgia plant, and plans by the factory's operators to renew workers' contracts to introduce more part-time work.
An Athens court last month declared the strike illegal.