Greece teacher strike talks fail

Prime Minister Karamanlis described the pay demands as "unfeasible"

Talks between Greece's prime minister and leaders of the country's teachers' unions have failed to end a six-week strike over pay rises.

Prime Minister Constantin Karamanlis told union representatives that their demands for a 45% pay increase were unfeasible.

Union leaders said they would decide what action to take later this week.

Many Greek children have not attended school since the academic year started in mid-September.

Future investment

Mr Karamanlis told striking teachers that he could not endanger the efforts that Greece has made on economic consolidation and growth by increasing teachers' salaries.

However, he did promise future investment in education.

The head of the primary schoolteachers' union, Dimitris Bratis, told AP news agency there had been "no substantial change" in the government's position.

Mr Bratis added that the union would meet on Wednesday to decide whether to return to the classroom or continue industrial action.

Greece's secondary schoolteachers have been supporting their primary colleagues with a solidarity strike.