The following statement on the subject of the crisis in Greece was issued on March 23rd, 2012 by representatives of the Australian Labour Movement and the Greek Australian Community.
“The continuing economic crisis in Greece is not an isolated phenomenon peculiar to one country. It is symptomatic of a broader systemic economic failure in the global economy and in particular, the European Union.
The people of Greece today, deserve no less assistance than the global banks and financial investment houses received during the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) in 2008. During the GFC, workers’ savings and collective assets were used to guarantee the survival of some of the world’s biggest banks. These institutions were bailed out of a crisis that they themselves created. Today ordinary Greek workers and their families are being told they must pay again. They will have their incomes, working conditions, pensions, and their social services destroyed and their nation’s productive capacity severely constrained so that their economy can be ‘saved’.
The broad, popular movement in Greece against the proposed austerity measures deserves the support of the international community and solidarity of the labour movement and the Australian community more broadly.
Accordingly, we call upon the Greek Government, European Union and the global financial institutions to:
(i) Abandon the fiscal austerity program that is strangling the Greek economy and its people, and;
(ii) Adopt an expansionary investment program to break the vicious downward spiral and provide jobs and hope to an increasingly desperate people.
We further call on the Australian Government to support this position and to communicate it to the Greek Government and the European Union.”
The statement was sponsored by:
Arthur Rorris (South Coast Labour Council – NSW)
Angelo Gavrielatos (Australian Education Union)
George Zangalis (Public Transport Union, Ret.)
Michael Tsilimos (Secretary, Greek Orthodox Community, Sydney, NSW)
Harry Danalis (President, NSW Greek Orthodox Community, Sydney, NSW)
Costas Markos (Secretary, Greek Orthodox Community Melbourne, Victoria)
Sofia Mastoris (Hellenic Womens Association)
Theo Markos (Greek Orthodox Community Melbourne, Victoria)
Tony Mavromatis (Australian Manufacturing Workers Union)
Paul Konaris (Australian Manufacturing Workers Union)
Mark Georgiou (Australian Manufacturing Workers Union)
George Koletsis (Australian Manufacturing Workers Union)
Chris Christodoulou (Unions NSW)
Alix Sachinidis (Australian Manufacturing Workers Union)
George Catsourakis (Federation of Greek Workers Organisations)
Leo Skourdoumbis (Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union)
Jeana Vithoulkas (Media Entertainment Arts Alliance)
Nick Karidakis (Socrates Newcastle)
Theo Nomicos (Association of Greek Elderly Citizen Clubs of Melbourne and Victoria)
Adonis Marinos (Platon Adelaide)
Arthur Salahas (Democritus) Melbourne
Mike Nicolaides (Australian Manufacturing Workers Union)
Dissio Markos (Transport Workers Union)
Theo Theodorou (Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union)
Derek Christopher (Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union)
Stan Koulouris (Independent Education Union)
Pam Andritsakis (Australian Services Union)
Theo Samartzopoulos (Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union)
Mark Papan (Construction, Forestry, Mining & Energy Union)
Australian Unions and Solidarity Organisations Endorsing the Statement
Ged Kearney, President, Australian Council of Trade Unions
Mark Lennon, Secretary, Unions NSW
Brian Boyd, Secretary, Victorian Trades Hall Council
Janet Giles, Secretary, Unions South Australia
Arthur Rorris, Secretary, South Coast Labour Council
Gary Kennedy, Secretary, Newcastle Trades Hall Council
Angelo Gavrielatos, President, Australian Education Union
Susan Hopgood, Secretary, Australian Education Union
Paul Bastian, A/g Secretary, Australian Manufacturing Workers Union
Glenn Thompson, A/g President, Australian Manufacturing Workers Union
Dick Shearman Independent Education Union, NSW/ACT
Dave Noonan, National Secretary, Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (C&G)
Mick Doleman, Deputy National Secretary, Maritime Union of Australia
Garry Keane, Secretary, Maritime Union of Australia, Southern NSW Branch
Jeannie Rea, National President National Tertiary Education Union
Grahame McCulloch, General Secretary, National Tertiary Education Union
Trevor Dobbyn, Secretary, Rail, Tram and Bus Union, Victoria
Tony Sheldon. Secretary, Transport Workers Union
Paul McAleer, Secretary, Maritime Union of Australia, Sydney Branch
David Smith, National Secretary, Australian Services Union
Louise Tarrant, National Secretary, United Voice
Peter Murphy, Search Foundation