TP Workers of Chania

On Wednesday 14/2 there took place one of the most massive General Assemblies of the Union of Private Sector Employees of Chania in recent years, with the participation of workers from various sectors (super markets, trade, private clinics, telecommunications). Of particular importance was the massive attendance of colleagues from Teleperformance, after the successful work stoppage they held on 8/2 following the decision of the Union.

In the introductory speech on behalf of the Board of Directors, the President of the Union Mariantzela Halakatevaki referred extensively to the head on attack against private sector workers (exhausting hours, low wages, unpaid overtime), as well as to the major issues that concern workers as a whole (inflation in basic consumer goods and energy, commercialization of health care, laws for the establishment of private universities). Furthermore, she noted our solidarity with the people of Palestine, who are being murdered by the murderous state of Israel, with all the peoples who are being tested by imperialist wars, and unequivocally condemned the decision of the Greek government sending the frigate “YDRA” to the Black Sea to commence war operations in the region through the Larissa headquarters. Decisions that deepen the country’s military involvement, making it a magnet for retaliation. She expressed the Union’s firm position for no involvement of the country in the military operations conducted by the US-NATO-EU, for the closure of the Souda base and all US-NATO bases in the country.

In the rich discussion that followed, experience from workplaces were shared and full support was expressed for the promising, fair struggle of the Teleperformance workers here in Chania – in coordination with the workers in Athens and Thessaloniki – for the signing of a collective labor agreement, with demands including 7 hour – 5 day – 35 hour work weeks, open-ended contracts, 20% wage increases.

The following were decided unanimously:

• 24-hour strike for Teleperformance workers on Monday 19 February 2024.
• Participation in the strike on Wednesday 28 February. Union committees to visit workplaces for better organization, with a schedule to be announced in the coming days.
• We support the just struggle for survival of the farmers and their demands. We support the blockade in Megala Horafia and all their mobilization.
• We support the students’ struggle against the establishment of private universities, their struggle for truly public and free, modern higher education. – We support the struggles of the health workers, against the complete degradation of services in the hospital of Chania, for public health serving modern needs and utilizing the potential of scientific achievements.

(PRIVATE SECTOR EMPLOEE UNION OF CHANIA)

Markou Mpotsari 68, 73134, Chania

Member of the Union of Private Sector Employees in Greece,

Member of the Chania Labour Unions Federation

( Email  : [email protected] )

Contact phone numbers: +30 698 200 1586 – +30 697 667 7919

Using the following link, you can enter into the WhatsApp group for announcements by workers of Teleperformance in Chania. This group is used by workers in Chania to provide updates and make announcements related to worker and union action. We recommend that every worker joins this group for better coordination and announcements.

https://chat.whatsapp.com/ETm9lWVcIMm9BRJz6qWFzi

The local union of private sector emploees in Chania has called upon all Teleperformance workers to participate in the union’s general assembly on Wednesday February 14 at 18:30. We must do our part to spread this message far and wide between all of our coworkers, looking towards massive participation in the general assembly.

📍 Mark. Mpotsari 68, Chania 731 00
https://maps.app.goo.gl/t3EZitb9FUHRKnGx5

In the timespan of a week we’ve already made a lot of progress. Through our own organizing we managed to create the conditions for a massive and unprecedented strike on the 8th of February. Participation was up to 95% in Chania! And thousands of call center workers also participated in the strike all over Greece.

In spite of the continued calls of thousands of workers, Teleperformance has yet to accept calls to sit on the negotiation table.

Enough is enough! We demand dignity, living wages and better working conditions with respect to basic human rights. Our fight continues. Let’s not waste a single minute! We must all struggle together, no one is alone!

Teleperformance workers looking to sign up to the union can do so at the general assembly. Dues are 10€ in cash for one year. You will need to have your AMKA (EFKA insurance number) or your passport/ID number.

List of Demands

1. Open-ended contracts for all employees.  A halting of labor for rent.
2. 5 work days- 7 work hours per day – 35 hours per week.
3. 20% Increase in monthly salaries for all employees immediately. 10% Seniority-based raise every year.
4. Immediately stop the practice of deducting electricity charges from salaries and include electricity costs in provided housing for free. Compensate past deductions that had happened under this scheme.
5. Ensure bonus schemes are clear and fair, with details attached to employment contracts. Notify employees of any changes to bonuses at least one month in advance for transparency and fairness.
6. Automatic adjustment of wages based on inflation of basic good.
7. 15% wage subsidy for hazardous unsanitary headset usage.
8. Wage subsidy of 10% for each language spoken with recognition of the degrees of all languages the employee possesses, including the mother tongue, in case it is different from Greek.
9. Work visas for all non-EU colleagues. Immediate abolition of the disgraceful “special purpose” visa.
10. One hour break based on the prescribed regulation for working with screens. Excluding breaks for personal needs (toilet).
11. Timely notification before any movement from one project to another.
12. Full payment of work from home expenses (internet, electricity, heating or cooling and office equipment, indicatively computer, desk, anatomical chair, footstool, headphones).  Logout from all systems at the end of the normal work hours.
13. Protection of young mothers and people with health problems.
14. Abolition of the “clean desk policy” that violates basic human rights, causing health and hygiene problems (e.g. prohibiting employees from having medicines or personal hygiene items with them in the workplace).”
15. Upgrade housing to be winter-ready and improve shared amenities like clothes washing machines and drying infrastructure.
16. Stop the practice of “fining” workers for apartment issues.
17. Provide free transport to all workers living in provided housing and provide a transport stipend for transport costs of those relying on their own modes of transport.

Union contact information

ΣΥΝΔΕΣΜΟΣ ΙΔΙΩΤΙΚΩΝ ΥΠΑΛΛΗΛΩΝ ΧΑΝΙΩΝ
(PRIVATE SECTOR EMPLOEE UNION OF CHANIA)
Markou Mpotsari 68, 73134, Chania

Member of the Federation of Private Sector Employees in Greece,

Member of the Chania Labour Unions Organization

( Email  : [email protected] )
Contact phone numbers: +30 698 200 1586 – +30 697 667 7919
Whatsapp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/ETm9lWVcIMm9BRJz6qWFzi