Greek protesters say they plan to prevent lawmakers from entering the parliament in Athens Wednesday to try and stop debate on another round of deep spending cuts.

Demonstrators say they will form a human chain around the building as part of another 24-hour general strike against the government's economic plans.

Trains, ferries, and busses will be idle, schools will be shut down, and only essential staff will be on duty in hospitals. But air traffic controllers have decided not to take part in the work stoppage.

European Union officials say Greek politicians must agree on more spending cuts and tax hikes if Greece is to get another economic bailout.

But many ordinary Greeks are angry that they are being asked to make more sacrifices.

Last year's $160 billion bailout from the EU and International Monetary Fund has done little to help Greece climb out of its deep debt.

Monday, the financial services company Standard & Poor's cut Greece's credit rating from B to CCC, putting it at the very bottom of the S&P rating list.