The public health sector faces renewed labour unrest after trade unions representing state hospital workers accused the State Health Services Organisation (SHSO) of delaying negotiations on a collective agreement.
The six main unions, including PASYDY and PEO, criticised SHSO chairman Marinos Kallis in a joint statement, following his comments in an interview with Phileleftheros newspaper that talks would resume in September.
The unions accused SHSO of “employing delay tactics and stalling negotiations,” citing Kallis’s postponement as the latest example. They questioned SHSO’s commitment to a previously stated goal of a swift agreement, reached in the presence of health ministers.
The unions further outlined a series of unanswered questions regarding the negotiations. These included a draft agreement allegedly submitted by SHSO in February that excluded previously agreed-upon points, and the cancellation of a Technical Committee meeting in June.
The unions emphasised their preference for dialogue and accused SHSO’s inaction of pushing them towards strike action. They rejected Kallis’s previous claim of operating under constant threat of strikes, highlighting their patience in seeking negotiations.
