General strike call for 20 February
The ADEDY and GSEE public and private sector trade union confederations have called a general strike for 20 February in protest at the continuing pressure for cuts coming from the Troika of European Commission, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund. Civil servants are the target of next round of cuts with the Troika wanting to see 25000 dismissed or transferred to other areas. Trade unions have also reacted angrily to the government’s actions to prevent transport workers from taking strike action and the GENOP energy union took 24-hour strike action on 31 January in protest at the attack on the right to strike. Further action against the cuts was planned by refuse collection workers on 14-15 February. Read more at > ADEDY (GR) And at > ekathimerini news website (EN) And on the GENOP strike at > GENOP (GR) And on the waste workers at > Greek report news website (EN)
24-hour strike against austerity
The ADEDY public sector confederation organised a 24-hour strike on 19 December in its latest protest at austerity measures. It argues that the cuts in public sector are so deep that it can no longer operate effectively and deliver services to citizens. It is difficult to keep up with the "reforms" being imposed on public sector workers but this article by the EIRO industrial relations observatory reviews some of the main cuts and freezes on pay and recruitment. There is a new public sector pay structure, a weakening of the role of trade unions and restructuring of public sector organisations, all carried out without any form of social dialogue. Read more at > ADEDY (GR) And at > EIRO (EN)
ILO critical of attacks on collective bargaining
The International Labour Organisation has issued a report critical of the attacks on trade union and collective bargaining rights. In response to complaints bought by the ADEDY civil service confederation, GSEE private sector confederation and GENOP-DEI power sector trade union, it concluded: "While deeply aware that these measures were taken within a context qualified as grave and exceptional, provoked by a financial and economic crisis, the Committee found that there were a number of repeated and extensive interventions into free and voluntary collective bargaining and an important deficit of social dialogue and thus highlighted the need to promote and strengthen the institutional framework for these key fundamental rights." Read more at > ILO (EN) And at > ETUC (EN) And in French at > CES
General strike planned for 6-7 November
The ADEDY civil service confederation and GSEE private sector confederation are planning the next general strike for 6-7 November in protest at the policies of the Troika - European Commission, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund - that are continuing to push the economy into recession while undermining labour and trade union and other social rights. Read more at > ADEDY (GR)
48-hour general strike against austerity
ADEDY the public sector union confederation and the GSEE private sector confederation called a general strike 26 September in protest at further austerity measures and in particular a leaked ’confidential’ Troika letter calling on the government to further reduce the minimum wage and the earlier demand for a six-day work week, longer working hours, a yet shorter notice period and less severance pay. The GENOP energy union is also planning a series of 48-hour strikes in protest at austerity and privatisation. Read more at > ADEDY (GR) And at > GENOP (GR)
ETUC supports complaint over pension cuts
The ETUC is supporting a complaint over pension cuts being imposed as part of the austerity measures demanded by the European Commission, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund. The complaint is being submitted to the European Committee of Social Rights of the Council of Europe. Read more at > ETUC (EN) And at > CES (FR)
Strike call over health cuts
The ADEDY civil service confederation called for strike action on 29 March over the impact of austerity measures in the health sector. The union says that thousands of workers now lack the constitutionally guaranteed right to health services by the State. Continued cuts and restrictions on drugs and benefits, reductions in funding and the squeeze on budgets are leading to tragic consequences. Hospitals and health units are being merged and closed solely to drastically cut costs and meet the requirements of the Troika and the lenders, without considering the real needs of society for health services. Read more at > ADEDY (EL)
ETUC Executive Committee issues solidarity statement
The ETUC Executive Committee earlier this month expressed its support for Greek trade unions “in their struggle against the unprecedented IMF–EU–ECB onslaught that methodically dismantles core labour rights, uproots labour institutions and demolishes the social state depriving workers of vital institutional capabilities to defend themselves.” It points out that nearly 30% of the population are below the poverty line but even more austerity measures are on the way. Read more at > EPSU (EN)
Report reveals extent of attacks on collective bargaining and pay and conditions
A new working paper from the International Labour Organisation provides detailed background on the austerity measures being imposed on workers and trade unions up to the end of last year. It runs through the cuts in public sector pay and jobs and the changes to the collective bargaining system in the private sector. The report provides data on the impact on pay noting that this is before the latest measures, including the cut in minimum wages, have been implemented. It points out that there the pay reforms are simply cutting labour costs and reducing demand in the economy while there is no clear strategy of investment and innovation. Read more at > ILO (EN)
Two-day general strike against latest austerity measures
The ADEDY civil service and GSEE private sector confederations organised another general strike on 7 and 8 February in protest against the latest austerity proposals to come from the troika of the International Monetary Fund, European Commission and European Central Bank. The new measures include a 22% cut in the minimum wage, 15% cut to supplementary pensions and a further cut of 15,000 public sector jobs. The attacks on workers’ rights and social dialogue have been taken up by the ETUC and the ITUC global confederation. Read more at > ADEDY (GR) And ETUC message of support at > ETUC (EN) And in French at > CES And at > ITUC (EN) And in French at > CSI And in Spanish at > CSI
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