Athens court rules civil servants’ strike for Wed. illegal

Αn Athens first instance court on Tuesday afternoon declared a 24-hour strike on Wednesday by Greece’s civil servants’ union, ADEDY, as illegal, accepting, in part, a motion tabled earlier in the day by the education ministry.

Wednesday is a test-taking day for high school seniors participating in nationwide university entrance exams.

A union representing middle school educators had earlier requested from the trade union umbrella organization, GSEE, to be excluded from the specific industrial action.

Trade unions and the leftist political opposition in the country are bitterly opposed to a draft bill, expected to be ratified by Parliament on Wednesday, liberalizing the labor market.

Although only touching on trade union activities and unionists’ rights, as far as they are concerned, Greece’s cavernous public sector is not affected by the legislation. Nevertheless, the civil servants’ union and other labor organizations in the wider public sector, such as urban mass transits and utilities, are among the most vocal opponents.

The primary objections by unionists and the leftist opposition are provisions in the draft law allowing wage-earners – not employers – to choose to work longer daily hours, for instance Monday to Thursday for 10 hours per day, and then take the immediately upcoming Friday off. The argument is that employers will pressure and blackmail employees into choosing this option.

Additionally, such overtime work would be taken as a day off, and not be paid, another major “sticking point” for the unions.