Soumeli, Eva
New demand framework from the OTOE
27 veljače 2001
In January 2001, Greece's OTOE bank workers' trade union issued its platform
of demands for forthcoming bargaining over a new collective agreement for the
banking sector. OTOE's demands include pay increases which take into account
future inflation and past losses of purchasing power, and the introduction of
a 35-hour working week.
Unions hold 24-hour general strike
27 prosinca 2000
The Greek General Confederation of Labour (GSEE) called a 24-hour nationwide
general strike on 7 December 2000. The well-supported strike was aimed at
influencing parliamentary debate on the government's controversial draft bill
on measures to promote employment, which will have implications in areas such
as dismissals and working time.
2000 Annual Review for Greece
27 prosinca 2000
In the parliamentary elections of 9 April 2000, the ruling Panhellenic
Socialist Movement (Panelino Socialistiko Kinima, PASOK) won a majority and
again formed a government with Konstantinos Simitis as Prime Minister. The
other most important political event of 2000 was preparation for Greece's
entry into third stage of EU Economic and Monetary Union as the 12th member
of the single currency zone, which occurred on 1 January 2001.
Awards given for good practices in workplace health and safety
27 prosinca 2000
In December 2000, the Hellenic Institute of Occupational Health and Safety
(ELINYAE), presented awards to Greek enterprises with outstanding practices
in the fields of combating workplace stress and musculoskeletal complaints
and replacing dangerous chemical substances. The awards ceremony gave the
social partners and government an opportunity to outline their policies in
this area.
GSEE calls for measures to respond to oil price increases
27 listopada 2000
With oil price rises triggering increased inflation in autumn 2000, Greek
trade unions are concerned about the effects on the incomes of workers and
pensioners. In September, the GSEE union confederation called on the
government to take immediate measures to address the situation and posed the
question of renegotiating the pay terms of the National General Collective
Labour Agreement and lower-level collective agreements, if this becomes
necessary.
GSEE withdraws temporarily from social dialogue
27 rujna 2000
On 24 August 2000, Greece's GSEE trade union confederation withdrew
temporarily from bilateral talks organised by the government over the
latter's proposals for new policies on increasing employment and reducing
unemployment. GSEE objected to the government's failure to present a detailed
document on the issues concerned.
Government issues invitation to begin social dialogue
27 kolovoza 2000
In late July 2000, shortly after announcing proposals regarding new policies
on employment and unemployment, the Greek government issued an invitation to
the social partners to begin bilateral talks on nine issues in this area. The
GSEE trade union confederation accepted the invitation.
GSEE meets employers' organisations to discuss government employment proposals
27 kolovoza 2000
In July 2000, following the announcement by the Greek government of new
measures on employment and unemployment, the GSEE trade union confederation
held a series of meetings with employers' organisations to discuss their
positions on the proposals.
National General Collective Agreement signed for 2000-2001
27 lipnja 2000
After four months of bargaining, Greece's new National General Collective
Agreement was signed at the end of May 2000. The agreement will be in force
for the two-year period, 2000-1, and provides for minimum pay increases and
measures in areas such as annual leave, maternity leave and social insurance.
Softex workers laid off
27 svibnja 2000
In April 2000, 430 workers were temporarily laid off at Athenian Paper Mills
(Softex) plant in Drama, Greece, following the takeover of the company. The
lay-offs led to legal action and a top-level tripartite meeting between the
Ministry of Labour and Social Security, company management and trade unions.