Greek public-sector union ADEDY has called a nationwide public-sector work stoppage on Wednesday, September 16, the day Parliament is scheduled to hold its second vote on proposed constitutional amendments.
The work stoppage will run from noon until the end of the working day and applies to public-sector employees in Attica who wish to participate in a rally scheduled for 1 p.m. at Syntagma Square in central Athens.
ADEDY’s Executive Committee said the mobilization is a response to the government’s announcements as well as changes it says are being advanced as part of the constitutional revision process.
ADEDY criticizes government plans
In its statement, ADEDY said Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ announcements at the Thessaloniki International Fair did not meet public employees’ demands for decent wages.
The union also accused the government of continuing what it described as an attack on workers’ rights, citing the new disciplinary framework, the constitutional revision and the possibility of ending job security for public employees.
ADEDY also objected to the timing of the first parliamentary vote on the constitutional amendments, which took place during the summer. The union argued that holding the vote then was intended to limit workers’ ability to respond.
The organization has specifically expressed opposition to proposed changes to Articles 16, 79 and 103 of the Greek Constitution.
Dispute over constitutional amendments
Regarding Article 16, ADEDY argues that the proposed revision would lead to the “commercialization of education.”
For Article 79, the union says the changes would create the conditions for constitutional protections for fiscal restrictions that could affect wages, pensions and social benefits.
On Article 103, ADEDY argues that the proposed changes would open the way to ending permanent employment protections for public-sector workers and linking employment status to the new evaluation system and disciplinary framework.
Union calls for broader mobilization
ADEDY is calling on public employees to participate in large numbers in the September 16 rally at Syntagma Square and has warned that further mobilizations could follow.
Its main demands include permanent and stable employment, substantial wage increases and protection of workers’ rights, as well as stronger public and free access to education and health care.
