Do unions have what it takes?
Associations and unions representing Greece?s workers and employers face a task of historic proportions: They need to come up with realistic solutions that will help the people of this country either to hold on to the jobs they have or to be able to find new ones if they are among the growing ranks of thousands who have been laid off.
Some firms have managed to reach compromise solutions with their staff, but this has happened mainly in businesses where workers? unions and political parties have no involvement or interest.
Now, every party in negotiations concerning the future of the private and public sectors needs to assume a responsible stance which does not ignore the simple facts that the country is facing a disorderly default if things don?t change and the ranks of the unemployed are swelling by the day.
There are union leaders who know what needs to be done, but they must resist the pressure being applied by others whose only interest is safeguarding their special privileges and political clout.
