Athens - Public transport services, ships and flights by the state carrier Olympic Airlines were paralysed across Greece Thursday as unions planned demonstrations in the capital to coincide with Labor Day.

Thousands of tourists were left stranded as Athenstram, trolleys and all buses, including those to and from Athens International Airport, stopped running while workers at the city's metro said they would hold work stoppages.

Dozens of domestic and international flights on Olympic Airlines were cancelled as were all ferry services to and from the Greek islands.

Labour unions were expected to strike through central Athens at noon to protest the conservative government's attempts to reform pensions, which the unions said would reduce benefits. (dpa)