Public employees strike in Portugal

A one-day strike in Portugal stopped most public transportation, closed schools and reduced hospital staffing, officials said. However, the Thursday strike, called by the Communist-led General Confederation of Portuguese Workers, appeared to have little impact, euronews reported. The nation's second-largest union, UGT, which has backed previous protests, did not back the strike, and observers said the labor action appeared to be one of the smallest in years. Several people were injured in a clash with Lisbon police, and two journalists who were injured plan to press charges against the police, euronews said. The GCPW opposes a change in labor legislation that would make it easier and cheaper for employers to lay off employees, The New York Times reported. The BBC reported public employees also are upset over job cuts and tax increases in return for an international bailout.