Greece
Union confederation plans anti-austerity rally on 8 September
The ADEDY civil service confederation is planning an anti-austerity protest on 8 September in Thessaloniki to coincide with the city's international fair which will be opened by prime minister, Alexis Tsipras. The confederation aims to highlight the fact that workers and pensioners continue to suffer the impact of deep austerity measures despite the country exiting the bailout programme. With economic output having fallen by 25%, unemployment still over 20% and massive staff shortages in key public services, particularly healthcare, ADEDY argues that austerity continues to bite. The
Union confederation raises key issues with finance minister
The ADEDY public service confederation and health workers' union managed to secure a meeting with the Minister of Finance earlier this month and a commitment to further meetings. However, on one of the main issues of the meeting - extending the allowance for dangerous work to all sectors - the Minister didn't agree and suggested that some workers might see cuts in order to make the allowance available to others. In response to calls to increase the number of permanent staff and reduce flexible contracts the Minister acknowledged the problem of underfunding, particular in healthcare, and
Confederations organise national action against austerity
The GSEE private sector and ADEDY public sector trade union confederations organised national strike action on 30 May in protest at the continuing austerity measures being imposed on workers and citizens, with the prospect of further pensions cuts on the way while public service workers continue to try deliver services despite massive staff shortages.
Confederations announce 24-hour general strike
The ADEDY public sector confederation will be joining with the GSEE private sector confederation and other trade union and professional organisations in a 24-hour general strike on 30 May in protest at the continuing austerity being imposed on workers and citizens. ADEDY says that public sector workers are still suffering from pay cuts of up to 40% while more precarious working conditions have spread across the public services and there are critical staff shortages in important areas of health and social services.
The fight for public water goes on in Greece
On Thursday the 22nd of February a group of trade unionists including the president and vice president of EYDAP visited the European Public Service Union (EPSU) to discuss the struggles they are facing with the water privatisation in Greece.
Further protest actions against austerity measures
The ADEDY public services and GSEE private sector confederations organised a day of protest on 15 January against the latest austerity measures being voted on in Parliament as part of the package agreed with European lenders. The measures will mean further cuts to public service employment, cuts to pensions and tax allowances and restrictions on the right to strike.
24-hour strike has widespread impact
A 24-hour strike called by the ADEDY and GSEE confederations on 14 December had widespread impact on public services across the country. The confederations were protesting at further austerity measures with plans for cuts in pensions and take-home pay as well as threats to the right to strike. EPSU sent a solidarity message.
Confederations call general strike for 14 December
The ADEDY civil service confederation along with the GSEE private sector confederation have called a general strike on 14 December in protest against the latest austerity measures proposed by the government. The unions want to see an end to pay freezes, steps towards decent pay and no reduction in tax allowances. They reject plans for further cuts to pensions and call for the creation of permanent jobs to deal with staffing shortages across the public services. The confederations also want to block any restrictions on the right to strike.
Strike in local government to defend contract workers
(July 2017) The POE-OTA local government workers' union, supported by the ADEDY public sector confederation, took strike action on 29 June in protest at a threat to 10000 jobs. The unions say that the Interior Ministry plans to cut 10000 contract workers' jobs as part of a package of cuts agreed in the latest negotiations with European lenders. The unions are calling for permanent jobs to be offered to all contract workers.