Municipal Workers Across Greece to Strike on April 24, Demand Permanent Contracts and Wage Hikes
Athens, April 9 – Municipal workers throughout Greece have announced a 24-hour nationwide strike for Friday, April 24, to advocate for their long-standing demands. The Panhellenic Federation of Employees of Local Government Organizations (POE-OTA) is spearheading the industrial action, with a particular focus on the regularization of staff employed under successive, repetitive contracts within municipal social structures.
These social structures include critical services such as kindergartens, Creative Activity Centers for Children (KDAP), Creative Activity Centers for Children with Disabilities (KDAP-MEA), and Community Centers. POE-OTA emphasizes that these employees have been working for years under precarious employment conditions.
Nationwide Rally in Athens
In conjunction with the strike, workers will gather for a major rally in Athens. The demonstration is scheduled to begin at 11:00 AM on April 24 at Karaiskaki Square, a central location often used for such protests.
Key Demands of the Striking Workers
The comprehensive framework of demands put forth by POE-OTA includes several critical points:
- Regularization of ESPA Workers: A primary demand is the permanent employment of all ESPA (National Strategic Reference Framework) workers who are currently engaged through repeated contracts in municipal social structures. This aims to provide job security and stability for thousands of employees.
- Abolition of ‘Voridis Provision’: Workers are calling for the immediate repeal of the ‘Voridis provision’ and the clause in the new Municipalities and Communities Code, which is currently being drafted. This provision allows for the automatic exercise of appeals by Legal Services, effectively absolving municipal administrations of responsibility while leading to the unemployment of thousands of workers.
- Permanent Staffing in All Municipal Services: The federation demands the recruitment of permanent staff across all services of Local Government Organizations (OTA). They argue that current understaffing is a deliberate tactic to privatize services and benefit private contractors.
- Real Wage Increases: Workers are demanding immediate and substantial wage increases. They also call for the reinstatement of the 13th and 14th salaries, which were abolished during austerity measures.
POE-OTA highlights that the continued understaffing and reliance on temporary contracts undermine the quality of public services and create precarious working conditions for employees who are essential to the functioning of local communities.
The strike and rally aim to pressure the government and municipal authorities to address these issues and ensure fair treatment and stable employment for municipal workers across Greece.
The federation’s announcement underscores a growing discontent among public sector employees regarding employment conditions, wages, and the future of public services.
Source: https://www.ertnews.gr/eidiseis/ellada/apergoun-stis-24-apriliou-oi-ergazomenoi-stous-dimous-panelladiki-sygkentrosi-stin-athina/
