Mass strike grips the Greek building sector

Image via the KKE

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) reports that on both February 12 and 13, construction sites across Greece came to a standstill due to mass and militant demonstrations. On February 13, the builders and construction workers, who came to Athens from all over the country, protested in front of the Ministry of Labour and sent a decisive message for an even greater intensification of their struggle, through the trade unions and the Federation of Builders, that their just demands be met.

At the same time, they announced their participation in the upcoming national general strike to be held on February 28.

The success of the previous strikes and the first day of the builders’ 48-hour strike forced the employers’ associations to present a proposal/basis for discussion, which included, among other things, an increase of around 20% in the basic wage of the builders, as well as in various allowances. Of course, the collective agreement is not only about pay, but also about working hours and protective measures at the workplace.

A delegation from the Federation of Builders met with the Deputy Minister of Labour, Panos Tsakloglou. Yiannis Tasioulas, President of the Federation of Builders, informed the strikers about the results of the meeting and made it clear that the builders’ struggle will continue, and that the next step will be the strike on February 28. The executive board of the Federation will meet to take stock of the 48-hour strike and plan the next militant initiatives.

The strikers were supported by a delegation from the Secretariat of the All Workers’ Militant Front (PAME), Nikos Exarchos, member of the executive board of the Federation of Builders and MP of the KKE, and Diamando Manolakou, member of the Central Committee and MP of the KKE.

In front of the Ministry of Labour, the construction workers met with the shipbuilders, who also went on strike on February 13. They are waging a common struggle to return home safe and sound after work and to have their rights guaranteed by collective agreements.