The ETUC supports the strike of the Greek General Confederation of Labour due (14 December 2005) against the attack on collective bargaining and agreements
The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) fully supports the general strike organised by the Greek General Confederation of Labour (GSEE) on 14 December, to protest against the restriction of workers’ rights and particularly the government’s attack on the existing free collective bargaining and collective agreements framework.
The GSEE is very worried about the anti-social budget which is under way and about the willingness of the government to control collective bargaining and agreements to the detriment of workers’ interests. The GSEE together with the ETUC insist on the importance of a working system of collective bargaining which is the only safeguard in a labour market burdened by many threats: violations of legislation, deficient inspection mechanisms, limited effectiveness of social dialogue, and the worse forms of atypical jobs and “flexibilities”.
What is at stake? The existing provisions enshrined in sectoral collective agreements can now be reversed or abolished. The protection from unfair dismissal and established and negotiated wages and rights would be reduced. The new law reverses existing legislation on free collective bargaining, violates the Greek Constitution, the ILO Convention 98 on free bargaining and the European Social Charter.
Therefore, the GSEE:
Opposes the dismantling of their collective bargaining and industrial relations system,
Protests at the deregulation agenda that seeks to restrict workers’ rights, income and the scope of collective bargaining giving in to the employers’ demands,
Struggles against these kinds of measures that do not boost growth and competitiveness, do not create jobs and do not reform the public sector.
The ETUC has sent a letter to the GSEE to express its full support for this strike.
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