11.2.13
The government is attempting to change the way the union movement operates in Greece, which has been protected by the 1264/1982 law. The government wants to put an end to “minority strikes”, unopposed union rights and current union structure, and considers bringing back lockouts as a counterstrike measure.
The government’s goal is to change the union law by the end of the year, following talks with unions. Government sources commented that the recent strikes and mobilization orders highlighted the need to change the law, since “small groups bring public utilities to a standstill”. Minister of Labor I. Vroutsis commented that “it’s been 30 years since the current law was established and the times, circumstances and needs of the union movement demand at least a discussion”. Unions also recognize the need for some changes, however are wary of rumored procedural changes and the return of the lockout.
The basic changes regard the procedure for declaring a strike, the composition of unions, as well as the union movement organization, in order to reflect current circumstances. Regarding changes in the procedure for declaring a strike, the government wants to reexamine the “majority” concept, to reflect a majority of employees and not those participating in a general assembly. This is reflected in the recent Metro strikes, where a small union (the drivers), immobilized the entire company.
The other major change is to reduce union holidays, which in theory are meant to facilitate union activities, but in practice union boards allocate thousand of man-hours with complete lack of transparency, for obvious reasons. This is why in Greece the overwhelming majority of unions are in the public sector, since no private sector employer would pay highly-paid union leaders to constantly be on vacation.
The government is considering reinstating lockouts, whereby a business owner can shut down a business in response to continuing employee strikes. The counterstrike measure was banned with the 1982 law; however there have been calls from employer representatives to bring it back.
Union structures are also to change, with worker centers singled out as an outdated form of union organization. The government wants to restrict them to intervening in “local issues”. Changes are also scheduled for unions, as a response to the continuing downward trend of union representation.
