Economic Policy, Greece

(May 2016) The ADEDY public sector and GSEE private sector trade union confederations organised a 48-hour strike on 6 and 7 May in protest at government proposals to increase a range of indirect taxes and reduce social security benefits. The unions have been calling for the tax increases to be withdrawn, for higher tax-free allowances and for more action to be taken to stop tax avoidance by big companies. The GSEE is also taking action on 8 May as it opposes Sunday opening of shops - another element in the reforms introduced by the government as part of the latest bail-out deal. Read more at

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

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.

(May 2017) The ADEDY public sector confederation expressed its thanks to the thousands of workers who joined the general strike and rallies on 17 May. The strike was to express opposition to further austrity measures being put forward as part of the bail-out package being negotiated between the government and the European creditors and International Monetary Fund. The strike was jointly called by the GSEE private sector confederation and supported by the International Trade Union Confederation.

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.

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.