GREECE: NATIONAL STRIKE OVER SOCIAL SECURITY

UNCLAS ATHENS 000210 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV ELAB SOCI GR SUBJECT: GREECE: NATIONAL STRIKE OVER SOCIAL SECURITY REFORMS SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (U) On February 13, the two leading labor unions in Greece held a 24-hour general strike to protest the proposed (though still unveiled) legislation for reforming the Greek social security system. Much of Greece was shut down. Unions are angry at plans that purportedly call for increasing the retirement age for mothers with children, for decreasing the amount of payments to retirees, and for increasing the amount of contributions into the system by workers. A rally in support of the estimated two million strikers countrywide brought an estimated 20,000 protestors into the city center, shutting down major arteries and public transportation in Athens as they marched to the parliament building in Constitution (Syntagma) Square. PM Karamanlis is expected to announce his social security legislation on February 15. End Summary. ¶2. (U) On Wednesday, February 13, the two leading Greek labor unions GSEE (Confederation of Greek Workers) and ADEDY (Supreme Administration of Greek Civil Servants Trade Unions) called a 24-hour strike. Across the country, an estimated two million workers joined the work stoppage and approximately 20 thousand participated in a protest rally in Athens, shutting down major traffic arteries and public transportation in Athens. In Thessaloniki, approximately 9,000 marched in two rallies organized by the Thessaloniki Labor Union and the union of workers affiliated with the Communist party (PAME). ¶3. (U) The unions called the action in protest over an anticipated proposal by the Prime Minister for widespread changes to the social security system. The trade unions fear changes that would increase the age of retirement for working mothers, decrease the amount of payments to retirees and increase the amount of contributions required from workers. ¶4. (U) Schools, public banks, and post offices were shut as teachers, tellers and clerks joined the day-long strike. Airline flights were canceled because of air traffic controllers joining the action and ships and ferries servicing all of the Greek islands were stranded in ports after merchant mariners stopped working. Likewise, courts closed their doors, television and radio stations broadcast reruns and music, while government controlled hospitals treated only emergency cases as lawyers, journalists, hospital doctors, dentists and pharmacists all walked off the job. The unions issued strongly worded press statements promising continued protest actions until the proposed reforms are reversed. Opposition parties too, were united in their condemnation of the expected proposals. ¶5. (U) Despite his election campaign promises not to raise retirement age ceilings, increase contributions or to decrease pensions, PM Karamanlis is expected to outline his reform bill for parliament on Friday, February 15. It is post's understanding he will call for precisely these measures. Press reports suggest that the government is anxious to push the reform through parliament by the end of March. SPECKHARD