Article

 

INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS IN GREECE: BEFORE, DURING AND BEYOND THE ECONOMIC CRISIS  (p.81-107)

by

Ioannis Zisimopoulos, University of Patras

Keywords : Collective Bargaining, Decentralization, Trade Unions, Economic Crisis, Comparative Industrial Relations

JEL classification : J51, J52, J53

Abstract

In this paper we examine the transformation of industrial relations in Greece during the memoranda and after their official expiry. We argue that during the memoranda period, a process of “disorganized decentralization” of the collective bargaining system took place. This process was consolidated after the official expiry of the memoranda, through the legislation of the use of “opening clauses”. The consequences of the decentralization are the drastic reduction of collective agreements at the sectoral/occupational level, the reduction of the collective bargaining coverage rate, the increase of the individual contracts and the deterioration of the terms and working conditions of employees. These changes occurred in a conjuncture of the trade union movement’s weakening, and of the barriers for the development of collective action that have been legislated by the state. We argue that at this set of circumstances, the political and organizational reconstruction of the trade union movement is urgent.