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live Trade unions shut the door in the face of SYRIZA

09 May 2012 / 15:05:40  GRReporter
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Extreme left leader Alexis Tsipras asked to meet with representatives of the main workers’ and trade unions before meeting with his main political opponents from PASOK and New Democracy. Trade unions, in turn, decided that they should be cautious and showed neutrality to internal political struggles of who will become prime minister. The Union of Civil Servants (ADEDY) issued an official communication stating that the union will not get involved in the negotiations for forming a government. The executive committee of the organization recalled that it had met with representatives of all political parties during the election campaigns. ADEDY stated that whoever comes to power, should pay attention to their demands related to the problems in the public sector and the austerity measures.

The union of employees in the private sector (GSEE) refused to meet with Alexis Tsipras in plaintext too. Its official statement said, "As a trade union we will not intervene in the constitutional procedures and institutional meetings related to forming a government. Therefore, we are declining the invitation to a meeting with the possible prime minister Alexis Tsipras, who wants to discuss the programme goals of the new government." Like ADEDY, GSEE is also waiting for the government to be formed and then, it will present the problems of the workers it represents.

Certainly, Alexis Tsipras has got into deep water after the elections. His "brothers in arms" in the fight against government policies until yesterday – the trade unions, took a defensive stance and are not willing to give him assurances that they would unconditionally support the government formed by him or that they will accept all the policies imposed by him. The Federation of Teachers and the Central Union of Municipalities in Greece refused to meet with him too. Next on the list of meetings are professional organizations and commercial and industrial chambers. Their outcome will become clear by the end of the day.

 

Tags: PoliticsAlexis TsiprasTrade unionsMeetingsCoalition government
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