Soumeli, Eva
Public power corporation agreement signed for 1999-2000
27 lipnja 1999
In June 1999, an enterprise-level collective agreement for 1999-2000 was
signed by the management of the Public Power Corporation (DEI) and the DEI
General Staff Federation (GENOP-DEI). Among other provisions, the accord
provides for job security in the current reorganisation and deregulation of
the electricity market.
New collective agreement for notary office workers
27 svibnja 1999
A national occupational collective agreement on pay and working conditions
for workers in Greek notary offices was concluded in April 1999. The deal
provides for particularly favourable working conditions, mainly as regards
terms and conditions such as annual leave and time off for childcare.
More leave for civil servants
27 svibnja 1999
Late April 1999 saw the introduction of a new regulatory framework governing
the leave of permanent civil servants and staff of local authorities in
Greece. The effect is to provide for more leave, including extended annual
holidays and the introduction, extension or legislative confirmation of a
variety of types of leave related to specific circumstances (such as
weddings, sickness or court appearances).
Retirement age raised for women
27 svibnja 1999
In a May 1999 ruling, Greece's Supreme Court found that different retirement
ages for women and men are discriminatory and ruled that women must retire at
the same age as men (65). The effect is to raise women's retirement age by up
to seven years, and the GSEE trade union confederation is opposed to any such
increase.
Employers propose pilot implementation of 35-hour week in banking
27 travnja 1999
After several weeks of hard bargaining, conditions were still not right in
April 1999 for the conclusion of a new collective agreement in the Greek
banking sector. The employers' side proposed the pilot implementation of a
35-hour working week as a counter to the trade union demand for general
implementation of the 35-hour week without loss of pay.
Greek social partners react to Yugoslavia conflict
27 travnja 1999
On 2 April 1999, Greek trade unions (GSEE and ADEDY) and employers'
organisations (GSEVEE and ESEE) organised an unprecedented joint action
against the war in Yugoslavia, including a two-hour work stoppage. Meanwhile,
GSEE took international-level initiatives aimed at finding a solution and
ending the military intervention.
GSEE abstains from social dialogue on taxation
27 ožujka 1999
In February 1999, the GSEE trade union confederation announced that it would
not participate in a process of social dialogue on tax reform, organised by
the Greek government. However, the decision was only narrowly approved by the
GSEE leadership.
Nationwide construction workers' strike
27 ožujka 1999
On 17 March 1999, a well-supported one-day nationwide strike was held by
trade unions representing Greek construction workers. The unions' demands
centred on the calculation of social insurance contributions, violations of
labour legislation and housing issues.
Packaging company attempts to introduce rotating employment
27 ožujka 1999
In March 1999, the VIS packaging company, based in the Greek town of Volos,
announced to its workers its decision to introduce a system of "rotating
employment" - ie temporarily placing workers on short-term work. The workers
rejected the decision and proceeded to call for industrial action.
Union fights breaches of working time regulations in banking
27 ožujka 1999
Over early 1999, the Greek Federation of Bank Employee Unions (OTOE) has
given top priority to the perceived problem of breaches of contractual
working time rules, along with violations of labour legislation and
collective agreements, by banking employers. The union has called on the
authorities to act and has taken joint action with the GSEE union
confederation.