BY GEORGES MEHRABIAN
ATHENS, Greece - Public sector workers struck throughout Greece January 27, crippling the country's transportation system. The work stoppage was in protest to a new government bill that targets the right of public sector unions to collective bargaining. This was the second one-day strike in less than a week. Some 800,000 workers participated in an earlier action January 22, according to union officials. Particularly involved are the unions at the state-owned public transit company, the national airline Olympic Airways, the utility companies, and the state-owned broadcasting enterprise ERT. The strike also coincided with a march by 2,000 teachers protesting cuts in education.

The attack on union rights is contained in a tax bill promoted by the social democratic government of the Pan Hellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK). An amendment to the bill specifies that the government has the unilateral right to impose new work conditions in money-losing state enterprises, in order to achieve "flexible labor relations." Thus, the rulers hope that with the stroke of a pen they will be able to make union-negotiated contacts null and void.

In promoting this measure, Parliament speaker Apostolos Kaklamanis stated that the Olympic Airways unions are "a gangrene that has infested the company." The unions are the principal obstacle to the capitalists' plans to restructure the airline through cutting the workforce and wages, as well as increasing part-time work, in order to achieve a competitive edge.

"There is solidarity among other airline workers," said Natasha Terlexis, a member of the Union of Foreign Airline Employees who works at Athens East Terminal. The government's stand portraying the strikers as "privileged" workers has also gained some support, however.

Public transit workers in Athens have called for daily seven-hour strikes until January 31, causing huge traffic jams.

The government has justified its push to impose austerity measures and gut union rights on grounds that Athens must get as close as possible to achieving the criteria to join the European Monetary Union. "We are seeking a position as an equal partner in the European Union and the European Monetary Union. The employees of state companies must also realize that what is good for the national interest is also good for them," stated Prime Minister Constantinos Simitis. He said there was no question of withdrawing the legislation.

Following the workers' mobilization, a section of the ruling party have begun to distance themselves from Simitis, causing friction within PASOK.  
 
 
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