Brussels, 20/10/2011
The Greek trade unions organised a general strike on 19 and 20 October against harsh new measures demanded by Greece’s creditors. This was a warning shot just days before the European Summit which will be crucial to the country’s fate.
Bernadette Ségol, ETUC General Secretary, stated: ‘We are standing side by side with the Greek trade unions who are fighting measures which are bringing their country to its knees. The Troika’s intervention is bringing about a brutal drop in living conditions further hitting a population already squeezed by 18 months of austerity. Our members have spoken to us about the growing feeling of injustice at the way the burden is being distributed and the rising social anger. A long and deep social recession is looming. The ETUC is concerned by the direct attack on collective bargaining agreements. Through this action, it is the trade unions that are under attack. Crisis management by austerity alone is not the answer. It sets a dangerous precedent for the other countries which are also experiencing difficulties’.
- Greek General Confederation of Labour (GSEE)’s note: http://www.etuc.org/IMG/pdf/BRIEFING_NOTE_GREECE_06-10-2011-2.pdf