GREECE Law and Practice Contributed by: Nikolas Sigkridis, Semina Zavitsanou, Chrysa Kalantzi and Yannis Ragos, POTAMITISVEKRIS
6. Collective Relations 6.1 Unions
6.2 Employee Representative Bodies In addition to trade unions, Greek labour law recog - nises other collective workers’ representative bod - ies. They are not as widespread and generally play a supplementary role (especially when a trade union is present), and include the following. Workers’ Council Establishment These are compulsory in enterprises with at least 50 employees (and, in the absence of a trade union, at least 20 employees). Composition They consist of three, five or seven members (depend - ing on the size of the enterprise), which are elected every two years. Members enjoy the same protection from dismissal afforded to trade union officials. Nature They are participatory and consultative bodies aimed at improving workers’ conditions in conjunction with the enterprise’s development. They can co-decide with the employer on specific matters. They also have information rights and, in the absence of trade unions in the enterprise, consultation rights. Health and Safety Committees Establishment These are compulsory in enterprises with at least 50 employees, and have the right to elect health and safety employee representatives in smaller businesses (depending on the size of the enterprise). Composition They consist of two to seven members (depending on the size of the enterprise), which are elected every two years. Members enjoy the same protection from dismissal afforded to trade union officials. Nature They are consultative bodies that promote and safe - guard the right of employees to health and safety in the enterprise. Rights They examine working conditions within the enter - prise, propose improving measures, and monitor
Trade union freedom – the right to establish and oper - ate trade union organisations for the protection and advancement of workers’ interests – is enshrined in Article 23 of the Greek Constitution. Trade unions serve as the primary institutions for the professional, economic and social protection of their members. Core Roles of Trade Unions Trade unions fulfil the following core roles: • engage in collective bargaining to influence wages, benefits and working conditions; • negotiate CLAs; • declare and co-ordinate strikes; • participate in consultation and information pro - cedures with employers on collective dismissals, business transfers, technological changes, health and safety, and internal work regulations; and • represent their members in administrative (eg, Labour Inspectorate) and judicial forums. Establishment of Trade Unions To establish a trade union, at least 20 employees are required as founding members. These individuals must have completed at least two months of employment within the enterprise, sector or profession, depending on the type of union being formed. The establishment process includes a judicial review of legality and is finalised with the registration of the union in the General Register of Trade Union Organi - sations (GEMISOE). Organisational Structure of Trade Unions The Greek union system has three levels: • primary unions (individual employees, enterprise- level, sectoral or occupational); • secondary organisations (federations and labour centres uniting primary unions); and • tertiary confederations (national bodies such as GSEE for private-sector employees and ADEDY for public-sector employees).
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