PPC workers’ strike enters second day as islands face risk of power cuts
As workers of the Public Power Corporation (PPC) entered the second day of a strike protesting plans for the company’s part-privatization, an Athens Court of First Instance was on Friday to rule on the legality of their action which resulted in brief power cuts across the country.
The PPC took legal action against the utility’s labor union GENOP on Thursday, asking judges to declare the walkout illegal and abusive. On Friday, unionists indicated that they would appeal a ruling that finds their action illegal, a move that the government has suggested will be met by the issuing of mobilization orders.
In comments on Star television channel on Friday, unionists said they were planning to extend their strike to the Greek islands, which are currently full of foreign visitors, to underline their opposition to the planned selloff.
Environment and Energy Minister Yiannis Maniatis on Thursday submitted a series of amendments to a controversial bill for the part-privatization of the PPC – setting a minimum price and guaranteeing workers’ jobs for five years – ahead of a vote on the draft legislation that is expected to take place in Parliament next Wednesday. Unionists, and the leftist opposition SYRIZA, remain against it however.
