Election day strike for workers

The POE-OTA union, which represents thousands of people who work for cities, villages and other municipalities, says that its members are paid far less for doing elections work than other government employees.

Municipal workers are a key part of the voting process, from setting up voting centres to handling last-minute documentation for voters.

General secretary Themis Balassopoulos said that the union will hold a two-day strike on June 16-17.

He also warned that municipal employees will refuse to do any election-related work until then.

Mr Balassopoulos revealed that that they had been paid €60 (£48) for their work in the last election — a fraction of what other public servants got.

“We asked for dignified pay,” he said.

“If the country has no money, it can’t just be for us while Interior Ministry employees get €1,800 (£1,454) — that’s three months’ salary for a municipal rubbish collector. It’s a provocation.”