MEMBERS of a Communist-backed trade union blockaded the Athens stock market today to protest at government austerity measures aimed at tackling Greece’s debt crisis.

Protest organisers said they planned to maintain the blockade throughout the day. Police have not intervened to end the demonstration.

The blockade came ahead of a 24-hour general strike called by the country’s main unions, which is set to halt public services and ground flights, adding to Europe’s airline travel disruption caused by strikes elsewhere.