24-hour general strike over social security reform

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On 26 April 2001, Greece's main trade union confederations, GSEE and the public sector ADEDY, called a 24-hour nationwide general strike in protest at the government's proposals for social security reform. The strike received unprecedented levels of support, and the government has announced a freeze of its plans pending dialogue with the unions.

The Greek General Confederation of Labour (GSEE) and the Confederation of Public Servants (ADEDY) called a 24-hour nationwide general strike on 26 April 2001 in opposition to government proposals to reform the social security system, and especially pensions (GR0104106F). The unions view the proposed changes, announced on 17 April, as being to the detriment of those covered by the social security system. Participation in the strike was unprecedentedly high, with workers striking in all areas and sectors of the private and public sector. Indicative of the wide participation in the strike was the organisation by GSEE and ADEDY in Athens of the largest rally of workers seen in Greece in the post-war period. Rallies called by the Labour Centres and the local ADEDY organisations in practically all of Greece's big cities were also very well attended.

Participation in the strike across the country was as high as 100% in: the banks (state and private); the Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation (OTE); the Public Power Corporation (DEI); public transport; Hellenic Posts (ELTA); Olympic Airways; construction; engineering; shipyards; manufacturing and industry; other large enterprises; public services; public and private schools at all educational levels; the courts; hospitals; the mass media (journalists, technicians and administrators); and coastal shipping.

The tens of thousands of workers taking part in the rallies in Athens and other cities demonstrated their opposition to the government proposals regarding the social security system, which they believe to be unfair, antisocial and ineffective, because they raise retirement ages, lower pensions and abolish special categories of insured people.

Late in the evening before the strike, the government announced a "freeze" on the proposals it had submitted and invited the unions to take part in an open dialogue on all the issues.

After the rally and march in Athens had ended, representatives of GSEE and ADEDY delivered a resolution to the government, the speaker of parliament, the political parties and all other bodies concerned. On the same day, the GSEE executive committee met, and after assessing the situation emerging after the general strike and the government "freeze" on its proposals, made the following statements:

• the mass participation in the strike of the "world of work, intellect and culture", as well as self-employed people, has created new conditions supporting GSEE's positions on the social security system;

• the government decision to "freeze" its proposals, whether or not it is a tactic aimed at allowing the government to regroup, is a "product of the workers' struggle" and "a success for our movement"; and

• the government's position on the essence of the issue is not an answer to the strikers' demands and more importantly is not an answer to the universal demand for new, healthy resources for funding the social insurance system. The workers' movement is categorically opposed to the proposals, even if they are "frozen".

For these reasons, the GSEE executive committee considered that the trade union movement should orient itself towards further strike action, by: stepping up efforts towards another mass rally on May Day; and recommending to the GSEE general council when it meets on 8 May that it call a new 24-hour nationwide general strike for 17 May, including a rally and a march. The executive's decision was to be submitted for consideration to the GSEE general council scheduled to meet on 8 May so that it could seek – together with trade union officials from all over Greece - additional means and initiatives that would highlight GSEE's positions and proposals on the national level.