Unions to fight until bitter end
The head of the country’s largest umbrella union told Sunday’s Kathimerini in an interview that his organization intends to oppose the government’s labor reforms, which were passed last week, until the ruling conservatives are forced to repeal them. «For us, it is not a law because it has been totally rejected by workers,» said Christos Polyzogopoulos, the president of the General Confederation of Greek Labor (GSEE). «We will not abandon this position until this monstrosity has been totally repealed.» The law, which MPs voted in on Thursday, introduces cheaper overtime and more flexible work hours. Unions have opposed it since it was unveiled, with GSEE leading the line and calling two 24-hour general strikes in protest. Despite the limited success of the strikes, Polyzogopoulos believes that unions will be strengthened by the new law. «The problems that will be caused by these interventions will make workers determined and lead them to united action. It is up to the unions to take advantage of this development,» he said.
