The Ministry of Labor and Social Insurance continues to meet with social partners on the issue of the ATA, in order to reach possible consensus. At the same time, the Ministry appears to be making efforts at a political and service level to de-escalate the crisis in the hotel industry.
According to information from the Ministry of Labor and Social Insurance, separate meetings with trade union and employer organizations are continuing this week, where efforts are being made to form convergences that will allow an agreement to be reached on the future of the ATA institution.
Despite the differences that still exist between the two sides, the Ministry states that social dialogue is the process through which it seeks to utilize all the possibilities that exist to achieve a positive outcome.
Moreover, CNA sources confirm that a meeting between the Minister and the trade unions is scheduled for Monday afternoon, while a meeting between the Minister and the employers' organizations will also take place within the week.
However, it appears that the Minister's moratorium on statements is still in effect, in order to avoid inflaming the climate.
Regarding the final timetable for the process, Ministry sources note that “our goal is to manage to have convergences that will manage to create the prospects for a positive outcome.” It is added, however, that social dialogue “can neither degenerate nor evolve in perpetuity. We are dedicated to this effort and our goal is to manage to have the best possible outcome under these circumstances.”
It is also noted that the intensive effort that was decided to be carried out has been ongoing for several weeks. From the Ministry's perspective, the goal is to exhaust all possibilities before any other considerations are made.
It is recalled, however, that with their decision at the pan-union conference on July 10, the trade unions announced that if there is no agreement in the next few days for the full restoration of the ATA, they will proceed with strike measures.
De-escalation efforts in the hotel industry
Moreover, it seems that the Ministry is attempting to de-escalate the situation in the hotel industry. It is recalled that the trade unions SYXKA-PEO and OUXEKA-SEK decided to take strike measures in order to return to the workers what was agreed upon in the sectoral agreement, setting the timetable for their payment in the July payroll, while they said that they are examining the forms and time frame of their mobilizations.
As reported by CNA, the Ministry of Labor is in contact with both sides "both at a political and operational level."
It is noted that there are disputes that have been filed before the Department of Labor Relations, which are being examined through the prescribed procedure. As told to CNA, the goal is to complete their examination as soon as possible.
At the same time, the Ministry seeks to utilize the possibilities provided through the relevant procedures for resolving disputes, in order to avoid any impasse.
Regarding the announcements of the trade unions, as reported to CNA by Ministry sources, "labor relations operate in accordance with the Industrial Relations Code, which provides for specific procedures for the management of labor disputes regarding the relevant schedules and for potential impasses."
The unions in the hotel industry did not agree to a meeting
Meanwhile, the trade unions report that any actions taken are welcome, "provided that the employer side moves and that in the next 24 hours they will tell us that they will give the employees what has been agreed," as the Secretary General of SEXKA-PEO, Neofytos Timinis, told CNA.
He clarified that so far the unions have not accepted to take part in any meeting. "A meeting will be held, provided that there is a willingness to pay (the agreed) end of July. The union side expects that if any meeting takes place, it will be in the direction of paying the debts," he said.
Mr. Timinis reiterated that during this time the two trade unions are preparing to decide on the form and timeframe of their mobilizations, in the event that there is no intention to pay the agreed amounts within July.
Regarding the cases before the Department of Labor Relations, he stated that the complaints may be few, but they concern large groups and more hotels than ever before, as these groups constitute 30% of the hotels in the hotel industry.
Source: KYPE
