PAME: We denounce the plans of the SYRIZA Government to attack the demonstrators using riot police forces

July 15, 2105 PAME demonstration

PAME salutes the thousands of workers, unemployed, pensioners, young workers and students, the women, the self employed and small farmers who took part massively at the demonstrations of PAME on July 15th, all over Greece. The demonstrations send a message of struggle, not disappointment, of militancy, not defeatism, against the new brutal measures of the 3rd Memorandum of the SYRIZA Government.

We denounce the upgraded provocation plan of the Government of SYRIZA, to use the oppression forces of the riot police, alongside with parastate mechanisms during the enormous demonstration of PAME in Athens, on July 15th. This was a plan that aimed to break the demonstration of PAME, to intimidate the workers and the popular strata.

The attack on PAME was planned

The Police attacks the PAME rally at the "Fix" juncture

The attack on PAME was planned

Rizospastis, Friday, 17 July 2015

The Tsipras government has been exposed following the police attack, on July 15, against the PAME rally. The attack took place as the Parliament was discussing the third Memorandum. Besides immediate experience, the collection of data regarding the attack leads to the conclusion that the attack was well planned. The police acted on a command plan and with the clear goal not only of emptying the area outside the Parliament, but of beating protesters far away from the Parliament. A characteristic example is the attack by police "Delta" teams, which took place at the "Fix" juncture, kilometers away from the Parliament, and at a time when the protesters were folding up their banners.

All the data leads to the same conclusion: well before the attack, groups of 6-7 members were spotted spread around the Syntagma plaza. At about 9 pm, i.e, at the time in which Parliament discussion was scheduled to start, a group placed near the Grand Britania hotel began throwing stones at police forces that were placed near the flower stores. As streets were empty of protesters, both toward Panepistimiou street, which was empty, and toward Georgiou street, which was empty as well,  the police opted to turn the initial small group of supposed anarchists toward the main body of the protest, using tear gas for that purpose. 

No to the murderous migration policies of the EU

NO TO THE MURDEROUS MIGRATION POLICIES OF THE EU

Joint Statement of the Communist Party of Greece, Communist Party, Italy, Communist Party of Malta, Communist Party of the Peoples of Spain

At the initiative of the KKE, the Communist Parties of 4 European countries of the Mediterranean, which are receiving the largest waves of refugees and immigrants, denounce the political line of the EU and point to the causes of the problem, as well as the direction of the communists’ struggle on this issue. The joint statement is as follows:

The KKE, CPI,PC Malta, PCPE wish to stress the following regarding the unspeakable tragedy unfolding in our countries’ seas in relation to the refugees and immigrants:

The ongoing tragedy has a “name”: it is the political line of the EU and other countries, like the USA, that is responsible for the wars in the Eastern Mediterranean, Middle East and North Africa. This tragedy is rooted in the capitalist system itself, on this terrain we have the manifestation of poverty, the class exploitation and oppression of the working class and peoples by reactionary regimes, the sharpening of the imperialist contradictions, which cause the imperialist wars and interventions.

Threats and possible attempt against the life of the Secretary of the Governing Board of the Steelworkers' Union

An incident that raises many questions

A strange incident that gives rise to many questions occurred yesterday morning. The secretary of the Greek Steel-Industry Worker’s Union, Nassos Pavlakis, had a motorcycle accident while riding to work, which resulted in minor injuries.

At about 6:15 am, N. Pavlakis was riding his motorcycle from Keratsini to the Steel-Industry, via Skaramagka avenue. When he had reached the end of the bridge that leads to Athens-Corinth avenue, and before entering the avenue, he rode through a mass of petroleum on the concrete and fell off his vehicle, ssuffering a strain injury. After Traffic Police examined the scene of the accident, it was verified that gasoline was indeed spilt on the spot. Petroleum is especially dangerous for motorcycle riders, in comparison to other types of oil, because it is transparent and much more difficult to spot. Immediately after the unionist’s accident, another scooter-driver fell off his vehicle, while the driver of a large motorcycle who rode by afterwards maintained his balance. This suggests that the petroleum spill was “fresh” when N. Pavlakis was driving by.

It should be noted that:

According to N. Pavlakis testimony to the Radical, he had been receiving anonymous, threatening phone-calls from a coded number at his home telephone. The frequency of these calls was intensified during the last ten days. In the phone calls, he was told to “Be careful, because you are a good guy after all,” “Watch your behavior,” “Watch who you talk to,” etc.

The night before his accident, he received three such calls –the first one at 7 pm and the last one at 9:45 pm. In the first call, around 7pm, he was told to “Be careful while you are riding because you are a nice guy and you have a family;” the unknown caller then hang up the phone. In the second call, around 8:30 pm, he was told the “The road is dangerous” before the phone was hung up again. In the third call, a few minutes before 10 pm, he was told that “On the road, this morning, danger will come” before the anonymous caller shut the phone once more. While these calls took place, the unionist was receiving more calls at his mobile phone from an encrypted number, to which he didn’t reply.

All this gives rise to serious questions.

Source: The Radical, 9 August 2012

Translated by: Baron Cosimo

Translation edited by: Lenin Reloaded

Video: Nasos Pavlakis interviewed during the second month of the strike. From the blog: http://eleftheriahtipota.blogspot.com/

Greek Steelworks – The six workers that had been arrested by riot police for guarding the strike were laid off

Greek Steelworks – The six workers that had been arrested by riot police for guarding the strike were laid off

- The owner of Greek Steelworks dismissed the workers in an effort to intimidate and avenge them

- He sacked one member of the union’s governing body (GB), two deputy members and three pioneering workers

- The managing director and strikebreakers lodged lawsuits against tens of workers

- The aim was to crush the union and impose a regime of intimidation

In an effort to intimidate and avenge the workers, the employer of Greek Steelworks decided to dismiss at least six workers yesterday -one member and two deputy members of the union’s governing body and three pioneering workers- at the same time refusing to pay them compensation, with the aim of crushing the governing body of the Union and impose a regime of fear at the plant.

The six workers had been arrested early in the morning of Friday, July 20th for guarding the strike at the factory gates against the security police, after the New Democracy, PASOK and DIMAR coalition government decided to execute a fierce clampdown plan against the heroic Greek Steelworks strikers, by mobilising public prosecutors and huge police forces that made use of violence, chemicals and arrests in order to offer their services to the industrialist Manesis.

At the same time tens of other workers had to go to the Police Stations of Haidari and Aspropyrgos yesterday afternoon, in order to receive the lawsuits lodged against them by the company’s managing director and chairman of the Board of Directors, Ioannis D. Iliopoulos, and many willing scabs. The lawsuit consisted of 200 pages (!) against each worker allegedly involved in a series of ‘criminal offences’ concerning illegal violence, insult, threats, etc.

A characteristic example is that of worker Panagiotis Papanikolaou who was sacked on the grounds that he had committed perjury at the trial concerning the strike at Greek Steelworks, as he defended the right to strike. In another case, that of Dimitris Liakos, member of the union’s governing body, there are no legal grounds at all, because trade union office confers immunity from dismissal in accordance with Law 1264/82. Such protection can be lifted only if the trade unionist has committed a criminal offence against the employer himself.

Manesis’ target is to crush the union’s governing body

After out-of-court notices and lawsuits, verbal abuse by former scabs and managerial staff, and an arbitrary assignment to the union’s GB members and pioneering workers of tasks not related to their specialisation, Manesis has now dismissed another six workers in an effort to escalate his terrorising practices against all workers, aiming to prepare the ground for removing the protection conferred to union GB members and ultimately sack them and dissolve the union, which is the only body to safeguard the factory workers’ interests.

Besides, his tactics of the past few days after the strike was suspended leave no room for misunderstanding. Having the full support of the New Democracy, PASOK and DIMAR coalition government, Manesis attempts to turn the factory from a place of work into a concentration camp, by wiping out anything that he thinks gets in his way. Giannis Vroutsis, the Minister for Labour, had promised that no worker will lose his job and that the situation will be sorted out as soon as the strike ends both in his private conversations with the union GB members and in his public statements. Similar assurances were given to the steelworkers by Antonis Roupakiotis, the Minister for Justice. It seems, however, that Manesis has other plans.

Source: The Radical, 2 August 2012

Translated by: Effie A.

Communist Party of Greece: Announcement on the terroristic use of lay-offs at the Steelworks

Communist Party of Greece: Announcement on the terroristic use of lay-offs at the Steelworks

The Communist Party of Greece wishes to inform the people of the six new terroristic and vengeful layoffs of pioneer militant steelworkers, which the big capitalist Manesis deployed to damage their indomitable ethos. It is not at all accidental that big capital and its associates have targeted the six workers arrested by the forces of state repression during their violent invasion of the factory gates, after a D.As decision and the PMs commands. Among the six militant workers fired is one member of the Governing Board of the Union and two replacement members of the same Board.

Manesis' uncontrollable aggression, the display of hatred on behalf of his managers and bullies against the heroic steelworkers has the support of the ND-PASOK-DIMAR government, the state apparatus as a whole, the television and newspaper media that serve the plutocracy. The Minister of Labor is multiply exposed and shares responsibility for the new terroristic threats, since he covered up and encouraged the lies and provocations committed against the steelworkers in the name of allegedly protecting the right to work.

The Minister of Justice has political responsibility and cannot remain silent when District Attorneys and other judges function brazenly as Manesis' instruments, participating in the planning of terrorizing and repressing the just struggle of the steelworkers.

This is the democracy of big industry and its servants: threats, slander, brutal terrorism, cynical exploitation of the workers: this is what they wish to see reign in their factories and workplaces. To ensure profit and competitive edge, they demand with every means necessary that workers accept immiseration, subjection and humiliation.

The savage and concerted attack against the heroic workers of the Steelworks must arouse the rage of the people and particularly of the working class, the progressive people. Now is the time to raise the front of class solidarity, class unity and a counter-offensive. The struggle of the steelworkers concerns the entire working class, is an example to all and shows the path of the intransigent class struggle for justice, honor and the victory of the working class.

Athens, 2/8/2012 The Press Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Greece

Translated by: Lenin Reloaded

An orgy of intimidating practices at Greek Steelworks

An orgy of intimidating practices at Greek Steelworks

MANESIS AGAINST THE UNION AND THE PIONEERING WORKERS

Using out-of-court notices and provocations, the employer attempts to impose a regime of intimidation

He is engaged in an escalating orgy of intimidating practices ahead of a meeting between a large trade union and Steelworkers delegation and the administration of the Hellenic Labour Inspectorate (SEPE)

Using out-of-court notices, verbal provocations by former strikebreakers and managerial staff, intimidating practices and arbitrary assignment of duties not related to the workers’ specialisation, the owner of Greek Steelworks, N. Manesis, is attempting to demoralise the members of the steelworkers’ union governing body (GB) and several other workers who played a leading role in the 9-month strike.

The workers returned to their posts but the employer did not stop his -utterly unsuccessful- efforts to isolate the union’s GB members and Giorgos Sifonios in particular from the rest of the workers of Greek Steelworks. First he forbade the members of the governing body to walk around the workplace, by way of a personal order issued by the manager of the plant. Moreover, the union’s GB members were practically not allowed to go to their regular posts. Initially their posts were changed and they were assigned different duties, and then they were given the order to go to the union office and remain there until further notice.

On Monday, the workers were asked to work until 5.30pm instead of 2.30pm, i.e. the end of the morning shift, on the grounds they had clocked on at 9.30am, although this was due to the police presence at the gates and inside the factory. At that point the workers’ trust in the union’s governing body was more than evident. As soon as the GB members approached the workers and urged them to leave their posts at the usual time -as they were not in the least responsible for the three-hour delay- the vast majority of the workers responded positively and clocked out at 2.30 pm as usual, despite the managers threatening them to deduct three hours worth of pay from their wages.

The out-of-court notices sent by Manesis: a monument of lies and distortions

Rife with fabrications, the out-of-court notice sent by the employer yesterday to all members of the union’s governing body says: “...following the suspension of the strike, you persistently and unjustifiably refused to carry out the work assigned to you, whereas your overall behavior caused problems in the smooth and unhindered operation of the plant.

Whereas the above-mentioned refusal and your overall behavior constitute a breach of our agreement and the law, we request that you carry out the work assigned to you and refrain from causing problems to the smooth operation of the plant. Otherwise we intend to make use of all the remedies available under our agreement and the law”.

In a letter sent the day before yesterday to the workers’ union along similar lines, the employer of Greek Steelworks claimed that “the suspension of the strike is only a pretext”. In addition, a notice was served by a court bailiff to many workers asking them to visit the Aspropyrgos Police Station and receive information about the content of the allegations made against them in accordance with the Criminal Code.

Meeting between Steelworkers/ trade union representatives and the Hellenic Labour Inspectorate (SEPE)

Facing such an orgy of intimidating and arbitrary practices, the governing body of the Steelworkers’ Union along with a large delegation comprising trade union representatives from the Athens, Piraeus and Elefsina Labour Centres, the Athens, Piraeus and Thriasio Metalworkers’ Trade Unions, the Panhellenic Federation of Metalworkers, the Unions of the Private Sector Workers, the Shop Workers, the Private Health Sector Workers etc., met with Mihalis Halaris, secretary of the Labour Inspection Body at midday yesterday and formally complained about the orgy of intimidating and arbitrary actions practiced at the factory.

Mihalis Halaris promised to call for a labour dispute three-party meeting next week and to send a mixed team to inspect the health and safety conditions at the plant.

Then the delegation requested a meeting with Giannis Vroutsis, the Minister for Labour, who had promised to meet the workers in a telephone conversation with Giorgos Sifonios, leader of the union’s governing body, yesterday morning; however, later at midday the Minister’s head of office said that the Minister was having successive meetings and could not meet the workers.

On top of that, the Minister’s head of office asked the trade unionists to follow a certain procedure that was of course dismissed as ridiculous. Instead of arranging for an appointment with him and the Ministry secretariat immediately, the representatives were actually requested to leave and then call at the office to arrange for a new appointment!

The Governing Board of the Greek Steelworks Union

“The factory is not a concentration camp”

Extracts from the Steelworkers’ reply to Manesis’ lies

In their reply to the out-of-court notice and the letter sent by Manesis to the Union, the governing body of the Greek Steelworks Union pointed out among other things:

“This constitutes a monument of lies and a distortion of truth, by which you try to intimidate the GB members and the workers, prepare the ground to crush the union and impose a regime of fear and arbitrary practices at the workplace.

It is widely known in Greece that when the union’s GB members and the workers arrived on time in order to get into the factory and work on Monday morning, we faced an extraordinary situation. Three riot police vans and hundreds of policemen in full armour were stationed at the factory gates preventing us from entering the factory. It is infuriating to deny that the workers were prevented from getting into the factory when this was broadcast by the media all over the country. The police would not have behaved in this way if your company had not provided its support or at least its consent.

Unfortunately, the attempt of your company to terrorize the workers did not stop when we got into the factory. Many workers were assigned duties that did not match their specialisation; for instance you asked specialised technicians to sweep the factory floor. The invoked “right to give instructions” cannot be enforced arbitrarily, but only in accordance with the law –not martial regulations.

Moreover, the union’s GB members were forced to remain in their office guarded by scabs who used psychological violence and verbal abuse to prevent them from getting out. At the same time, your managers expressly forbade the GB members to visit the factory premises and monitor working conditions or check whether the health and safety regulations were observed.

You wish to intimidate the workers and avenge them for their struggle

Your company has evidently mounted an operation to prepare the ground for removing any protection that the GB members have as trade unionists and ultimately sack them and dissolve the union, because the union is the only means of safeguarding the interests of your factory workers. Your tactics as deployed these past two days show that your intention is to intimidate, avenge and punish the workers for their splendid strike struggle.

Once more, we declare that the plant is a workplace and not a concentration camp, and that your company does not have the right to implement arbitrary, terrorizing and despotic practices as supreme law. The union and its governing body have the obligation to protect the workers’ rights in accordance with the provisions of the labour law and regulations.

We request that you stop your illegal actions immediately; stop hampering the lawful trade union activities; respect the personality and rights of the workers.”

The Radical, 1 August 2012

Translated by: Effie A.

Whip the workers to save the bosses-The Radical, 25 July 2012

ND-PASOK-DIMAR Government:

Whip the workers to save the bosses

The attack in “Halyvourgia” almost monopolised the PM's speech in the parliament group of New Democracy, showing their fear and hate towards class-oriented struggles.

The three party government of ND–PASOK-DIMAR, based on the words of the prime minister, appears to be determined to use the “whip” of state violence and repression to crush the people's and workers' struggles and guarantee the profitability of business groups, escalating the war.

With the unprecedented, dirty and slanderous attack launched against the heroic strikers of “Halyvourgia”, he confirmed beyond any doubt that the real target is the whole working class. At the same time he made it clear that the demolition of labour and insurance rights and the crushing of workers' struggles by any means necessary, is already decided by the government and is a precondition for economic recovery, the renewal of the profitability of the monopolies and the “attraction of investments”.

Basically, with yesterday's speech, A. Samaras placed the right to strike in front of the firing squad. He announced in advance the revocation of those labour and insurance rights that were left standing and openly declared war against the workers who stand up and organise against the antipopular politics and who struggle to overthrow it.

At the same time he reaffirmed the commitment of the three-party government towards its lenders and partners, not only to implement all the brutal and antipopular measures they have jointly decided upon, but to take even more measures! He himself didn't hide that “the new approach of the government is aggressive”, being quick to clarify that what this means is “wherever we can, we will surpass the goals to which we have committed”(!).

Commitments inside and outside of the country

More specifically, Samaras, in his first speech after the policy statements during yesterday's session of the parliament group of ND:

1. Confirmed beyond any doubt that the attack of the riot police against the strikers of Halyvourgia is the “general rehearsal” for the crushing of the people's and workers' struggles by any means necessary. He said provocatively “We showed in the yard of “Halyvourgia” that we mean what we say”, while at the same time he waged a dirty and slanderous war against the strikers, in order to justify the gangster-like attack of the riot police. He shamelessly claimed that “A group of trade unionists had taken over a factory for seven months, keeping from work those who wanted to work and driving hundreds of workers to unemployment. The factory was about to close. We stopped this”.

The attack of the riot police against the strikers of “Halyvourgia” was presented by the prime minister as an important signal of the government during the first month of office, indicating willingness to “regain the country's credibility abroad, something necessary to attract investments, create job positions, regain our competitiveness”

He announced in advance the demolition of the labour rights and the de facto cancellation of the right to strike, in the name of “the right to work”, as they now call strike-breaking and the deployment of employers' mechanisms! With brazen cynicism he claimed: “We have the utmost respect towards the workers' rights. Especially the most sacred one: The right to work! Which was being violated and directly threatened. We restored it. It's that simple”.

At the same time, he clearly suggested that he will be sending the riot police to every factory where the workers strike to defend their rights. He pointedly said “We're sending a clear message everywhere: While we are in this unemployment, trade union practices such as this are used that threaten to close more factories, we will not sit idle looking at desperate workers losing their jobs”.

He also repeated the reactionary position that he expressed before the elections, i.e that he finds it unthinkable for labour and other rights to exist when there is unemployment! He brazenly argued that “labour rights are sacred. But for labour rights to exist there has to be work! If someone is unemployed, his labour rights are revoked in the most brutal way”, brutally distorting reality and attempting to obfuscate that it is capitalism and monopolies that generate unemployment.

In the same spirit and completely shamelessly, he didn't hesitate to present himself as the protector of the unemployed (!) stating shamelessly that “those that supposedly defend the workers' rights by sending them earlier to unemployment are pitiless! They are enemies of the workers and of labour rights” (!) In order to make his fairy tale role as the workers' protector more convincing, he pompously claimed that the government during the four years of office will lower unemployment from 24%, where it stands today, to 10% by destroying once and for all labour relations and splitting a (part-time) job so it can be share by two or even three unemployed persons.

He made it clear that the currently promoted exit plan out of the crisis in favour of the plutocracy will include more brutal and reactionary measures, driving the people to unregulated bankruptcy and poverty. Answering the question of “how we will achieve our goals – what is our plan” made by himself, he noted : “First we will show that the country respects its goals, which are our goals. Then we will show that we can implement everything that has to be done. Then we will show that in order to achieve our goals some things have to change, especially those that aggravate and deepen the recession”.

In this context, he announced in advance sweeping privatisations and the “fast track” selling off of public property. He noted that “We can do more and faster as regards structural changes, privatisations and the utilization of assets. We have already sent this message. And now we have a very limited time to prove that we mean what we say”.

That is exactly why yesterday he rushed to announce the list with the first abolitions and mergers of public institutions. He also mentioned that the government will soon introduce a law which will “drastically limit bureaucracy and everything that drives away investments” in order for “the investors to be able to come to Greece”.

The president of the Commission who is visiting Athens tomorrow, is expected to offer his support in order to “bring the program back in track” towards the government .Tomorrow at noon, the new meeting of the three political leaders who support the government will also take place, in order to decide the measures' package of a total of 3+11.5 billion over the next three years and also the list of the businesses that will be privatized.

The Radical

Translated by: Yannis Tembelis

Translation edited by: Lenin Reloaded

International Communist League-For International Solidarity with Greek Steel Workers!

On Strike for Over 200 Days

For International Solidarity with Greek Steel Workers! The following article is reprinted from Workers Hammer No. 219 (Summer 2012).

ICL-FI

Workers at the Greek steel plant Elliniki Halyvourgia have been on strike for nearly eight months. Since October last year, they have been fighting against an attack by their employer, Nikos Manesis, who is attempting a drastic cut in wages. He has also fired over 100 workers under new anti-union laws introduced as part of the conditions of the EU/IMF [European Union/International Monetary Fund] loans. The steel workers are part of the small but strategic Greek proletariat. According to Guardian journalist Jon Henley, this steel factory made iron rods and girders that helped build the Athens Metro, the Olympic stadium and the bridge linking the Peloponnese to mainland Greece (guardian.co.uk, 14 June). It is in the vital interests of all workers in Europe to stand in internationalist solidarity with these courageous workers in their class battle. A victory for the steel workers would be a blow to the Greek capitalists and the imperialist EU and IMF.

The strike was declared illegal by the courts on 5 June, but the strikers remain solid. A team of comrades visited the pickets on 9 June. We reprint below an edited version of their report.

*   *    *

Yesterday afternoon we visited the picket line at the Halyvourgia Steel Factory in Aspropyrgos, a seaside town outside Athens. The strike there has been the subject of a great deal of press coverage and is something of an epicentre for class struggle in Greece and around Europe. Comrades had made an earlier trip to the picket lines and the most recent issue of Le Bolchévik, newspaper of our French section, has a statement of solidarity with the strike. The surrounding town is, in a word, desolate. The small town centre was empty.

The workers were picketing outside the factory gates. There are PAME slogans, signs, and banners along the highway, on the gates, and across nearby overpasses. PAME is a formation within the trade-union movement that is in political solidarity with the Greek Communist Party, the KKE. A sign in German from the metalworkers union proclaims solidarity with the strike, saying “Your fight is our fight.” Ominously, there is also one instance of fascist Golden Dawn graffiti near the plant. There are security agents patrolling the property. Ten or so workers were stationed inside the main gates, blocking the entrance to the factory. They were reading Rizospastis, the KKE’s daily newspaper. All of the workers were men, and their ages ranged from 30s-60s. We were told that during the week, there are many more workers on the picket line, including women.

We introduced ourselves as Trotskyists from the ICL who were visiting to show our support for the strike. The workers were very friendly. Union officials at the plant allowed us to distribute our article “Banks Starve Greek Working People” [WV No. 1002, 11 May]. We also left copies of our statement calling for critical support to the KKE in the election. We showed them Workers Vanguard (published by the Spartacist League/U.S.) with a recent article on the Hamilton, Ontario, steel lockout (WV No. 976, 18 March). One union official we spoke to is a 30-year veteran of the plant who is responsible for distributing the weekly strike pay. A striker read the title of our article—“Greek Trotskyists Say: Vote KKE! No Vote to Syriza!” (reprinted on page 7)—in a sarcastic tone. Another worker asked us to read the letter in Le Bolchévik. The workers nodded their agreement during the sections on international solidarity, but stopped paying attention once we got to a quote from Trotsky.

Background to the Strike

There are some 380 workers at the steel plant who have been on strike for 224 days as of today. The trade union called the strike and PAME stepped in. The plant is owned by the Greek capitalist Nikos Manesis, who owns a similar plant in Volos. The strike began last autumn after Manesis demanded five-hour workdays and a 40 per cent cut in wages. He claimed that the factory was in financial trouble, and that this would be a stop-gap measure. According to the strikers, the union counter-offered to maintain an eight-hour day and take a temporary 40 per cent pay cut, to be repaid when the plant became profitable again. But Manesis rejected this and announced that he would fire the legal maximum of 5 per cent of the workforce every month if the union didn’t accept. The workers went on strike, and Manesis has fired over 100 workers so far. In mid-January, when the union met with the Greek labour minister, Manesis fired five workers when the meeting was announced, another five when they entered the ministry building, and another five when the meeting was postponed. Another striker told us that one of their main demands is for all the fired workers to be rehired. Meanwhile, workers in the Volos plant were forced to accept the company’s offer, causing tension between the two groups of workers.

We were also told that earlier this year, a number of workers at Aspropyrgos signed a statement, prepared by the company’s lawyers, stating that they wanted to return to work. This was used as the basis for a law suit against the union. However the union was able to convince the majority of the workers to take back their statements. These workers said they didn’t know their statement would be used in court, and signed a counter-statement declaring they supported the strike. The strikers told us they receive weekly financial support from their union, plus food and clothing for their kids from supporters. Six workers don’t take the money because they don’t want to ask, and there are a number of others who have been cut off for refusing to take back their anti-strike statements. A number of workers are chosen each month to monitor the steel furnace to keep it from exploding. These workers are paid, but are not considered scabs by the workers and are supported by the union. PAME and the KKE provide food and other material help to the strikers and their families. Last Christmas, a PAME official delivered one lamb to the family of every striking worker.

The State Is Not Neutral

There have been several attacks on the strike by scabs, but so far the union has repulsed all of them. The union official told us that a number of scabs went to the police chief for protection, but he told them that if he protected them he would also have to protect the striking workers if they asked. Of course, the state is far from neutral in this protracted and popular struggle. The union and three individual workers are facing a law suit, for not carrying out the strike vote in accordance with the law. A few days ago the courts declared the strike illegal and this led to another attack by scabs. For defending their picket line, some workers have been charged with assault and are awaiting trial.

But the strikers remain defiant and the militancy of this strike has really galvanised popular opinion in a time of horrific austerity. The union official told us a number of stories about solidarity, both from within Greece and around the world. He showed us pictures drawn by schoolchildren who supported the strike. A mainstream Italian news network has filmed at the plant and there have been a number of solidarity visits. A wealthy Greek woman has periodically delivered carloads of groceries and donated 600 euro [$746].

We highlighted the need to oppose nationalism and defend the rights of minorities, including national minorities, in Greece. We inquired about reports that Golden Dawn had visited the pickets and were told that several Golden Dawn supporters showed up anonymously with boxes of food and supplies; one of them took the microphone and quickly announced that Golden Dawn supported the strike. Not surprisingly, some workers were upset by this and complained about it to the union officials.

The workers understand that this strike is very important in Greece and internationally. They recognise that they have become a model for other struggles, and they do not want to cave in, despite the extreme hardship of such a long strike. A worker told us that there is no way he can go back to work without victory, after over 200 days on the picket line. He said, “If I go back to work now, how will I be able to look at my children?” Despite this commitment, conditions are very difficult. Now that the state has declared the strike illegal there will be more pressure and more attacks by scabs and the police. It is vital to approach unions internationally now for letters of solidarity. As we left the plant, I told the union official that the ICL sends its greetings and wishes the workers victory in their struggle. Tears came to his eyes and he embraced me.

Contact Information

• The address for solidarity letters is:

17th Km NEOAK

Elleniki Halyvourgia

Asproprygos 19300, Greece

Fax number: 011-30-210-557-8360

Telephone: 011-30-210-557-0829

• Donations in support of the steel strikers should be sent to:

National Bank of Greece

IBAN: GR 40 0110 2000 0000 2006 2330 152

BIC/Swift Code: ETHNGRAA

Account holder: Dimitris Liakos

All Workers Militant Front-Attempts to Break the Nine-Month Strike of the Steelworkers Using Riot Police/INTENTOS DE ROMPER LA HUELGA GENERAL DE 9 MESES DE LOS TRABAJADORES DE LA ACERÍA USANDO LA POLICÍA ANTIDISTURBIOS

ATTEMPTS TO BREAK THE 9MONTH STRIKE OF THE STEEL WORKERS USING RIOT POLICE

On the early morning of Friday, Riot Police forces, under the instructions of the three-party Greek government (ND neoliberals, PASOK socialdemocrats, DHMAR) attempted to break the heroic struggle of the steel workers, by arresting the strikers picket line, who have been on strike for 9 months.

The executive secretariat of PAME, responded immediately by calling the workers and the trade unions of the area to go immediately at the factory of the HALIVOURGIA. In very short time, at the gates of HALIVOURGIA gathered hundreds of workers from all over Athens to support the strikers steel workers. The solidarity mobilisation is still in progress.

The board of the steel workers’ trade union met immediately and calls for solidarity the workers of the area to a rally at the gates of the factory in the afternoon. Tomorrow Saturday, will realise General Assembly of the workers of the steel industry in order to decide how to respond to this new attack.

We call all trade unions and workers to condemn the antilabour and terrorizing practices of the Greek government that responds with violence and suppression to the just demands of the workers. The struggle of the steelworkers against wage cuts and lay offs is struggle of all workers.

The Executive Secretariat

INTENTOS DE ROMPER LA HUELGA GENERAL DE 9 MESES DE LOS TRABAJADORES DE LA ACERÍA USANDO LA POLICÍA ANTIDISTURBIOS

Desde temprano esta la mañana la policía antidisturbios, bajo las instrucciones del gobierno tripartito (ND neoliberales, PASOK y DHMAR socialdemocratas) intentaron romper la lucha heroica de los trabajadores de la acería, al detener los grupos de salvaguardia, que han estado en huelga desde hace 9 meses.

El Secretariado Ejecutivo de PAME, respondió inmediatamente llamando a los trabajadores, las trabajadoras y los sindicatos de la zona a que vayan inmediatamente a la fábrica de HALIVOURGIA. En muy poco tiempo, en las puertas de HALIVOURGIA se reunieron cientos de trabajadores de Atenas para apoyar a los huelgistas acereros. La mobilización de solidaridad todavia está en marcha.

La Junta Directiva del sindicato de los trabajadores de la acería se reunió inmediatamente e hizo un llamado para una manifestación de solidaridad a las puertas de la fábrica por la tarde. Mañana, Sábado, se realizará la Asamblea General de los trabajadores con el fin de decidir cómo respondera a este nuevo ataque.

Llamamos a todos los sindicatos y los obreros a condenar la política antilaboral y terrorista del gobierno griego que responde con violencia y represión a las justas demandas de los trabajadores. La lucha de los trabajadores de la acería en contra de los recortes salariales y de los despidos es lucha de todos los trabajadores.

PAME