March 9, 1954
KKE PROPOSAL: The Athens correspondent for The Times, reporting on the latest information about the new electoral law and the views of the government and the opposition, said that the (illegal) Communist Party (KKE) has proposed in a radio broadcast that the opposition deputies resign. «This resignation,» he said, «is unlikely, although the (centrist) EPEK party agrees with the Communists that this is the only way to thwart the government’s plans. However, the government has underlined that the new electoral law does not mean it intends to call elections before the current term of Parliament is over.» STATE INTERVENTION: The labor minister, Mr Gonis, has said that if it is ascertained that certain employer groups are creating obstacles and using delaying tactics during the negotiations for and drafting of collective labor agreements, the ministry will issue temporary rulings to settle wages and salary levels. These temporary decisions will be valid until arbitration is instituted and administrative decisions, which are compulsory on both sides, are issued.
