The cost of holding the Athens Olympics is spiralling

They are demanding a similar bonus to the substantial payments promised to police and other security personnel.

The striking workers have rejected the much lower overtime payments that the government has offered them.

The paramedics' union has threatened to hold more strikes during the Olympic Games, which are being held in Athens from 13-29 August.

Members of the security forces have been promised bonuses of up to 2,500 euros (�1,650).

This has prompted a series of strike threats from other groups, including hotel workers.

'Rolling strike'

The government says the Olympics is already going to cost 6bn euros - significantly more than forecast. It is spending 1bn euros on security alone, three times the amount spent by Sydney in 2000.

The paramedics' union says 2,600 ambulance drivers have been given special training for Olympic duties and deserve extra money.

"We are on strike today and will be on a rolling 24-hour strike daily until they give us what we justly deserve," Christos Barkonikos, president of the union, Ekab, told Reuters news agency.

"As we say in Greece 'we will smack the pig until it squeals'."

During the strike, paramedics will operate at minimum staffing levels and will only handle emergencies.