electricity
News and articles about work, policy and workers' struggles in the energy sector around the world.
More strikes expected as Greece passes pension reform
Greek unions promise to continue protests against the government's pension reforms, passed on Thursday.
The pension reform raises the retirement age for women to 65 and workers in hazardous industries will have to work an extra two years. Many accuse the conservative government of going back on pre-election promises not to cut pension rights.
Greece heading towards general strike
Greek workers are set to go on general strike tomorrow (Wednesday 19th March) in protest of the government's planned pension reforms.
The government's reforms would mean the merging of pension funds and increasing the pension age for some workers. The government, however, has not made public any details on the size of savings that will accrue from the reforms. The trade unions have also argued that the current pension system could survive if bosses were made to pay their contributions.
Workers continue to fight for their pensions in Greece
Walkouts by public sector workers against the pension reform bill are continuing, with a 24-hour general strike expected on Wednesday.
Last Wednesday saw a three-hour general stoppage called by the General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE), during which doctors, engineers, pharmacists and lawyers joined bank workers and rubbish collectors already on strike. The day ended with a march on parliament attended by hundreds of workers.
Greece: general strike by public service workers
Public service workers in Greece have gone on strike, for the second time in two months, to defend their pensions.
The strikes have virtually paralysed the country as workers nation-wide seek to defend their pensions and protest against a government that has broken its promises.
France: More workers join strikes
Hundreds of thousands of health workers, civil servants, printers postal workers and air traffic controllers yesterday joined transport and energy strikes over pensions and pay.
Thousands joined street protests in Paris, Rouen, Strasbourg, Marseille, Grenoble, Lyon and other cities.
The 24 hour strike left many schools closed, hospitals providing a reduced service and newsagents without newspapers.
The BBC reported that the French capital's two airports and Marseille airport in the south suffered delays and cancellations.
France: Transport and energy strikes begin
Workers fighting to defend their pension rights have launched a second strike.
This time the strike is reconductible, meaning that although it is not an unlimited strike it is renewable on a daily basis. The strike warning given by the unions was for a strike beginning from 8pm on Tuesday.
Electricity workers refuse work in Trinidad and Tobago
Two Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (TTEC) Customer Service Centres remained closed yesterday because most of the employees did not show up for work.
According to a press release issued by TTEC, Point Fortin and Couva Service Centres remained closed while Scarborough centre was manned by a small number of employees. Distribution areas were also affected by high absenteeism levels as most field workers did not report for work, stated the release.
Lebanon: electricity workers threaten strike
Staff at EDL (Lebanese Electricity) have given notice of strike action to begin on May 4.
Staff are demanding that the government honour long-standing promises over wages and contracts. Specifically they are asking for pay rises that were due in 1996, 1997 and 1998. Furthermore they are demanding that all employees be advanced 4 levels on the pay scale. They are calling for a long service bonus for staff.
Ireland: Energy workers plan strikes
Workers at the Electricity Supply Board are currently threatening strike action against potential privatisation.
The main reason for the action is the government-backed plans for the distribution of electricity, selling the network to Eirgrid, a state-owned private limited company, which workers see as a step towards privatisation and a loss of the rights held by state employees.
Iraq: Electricity workers on strike in Kirkuk
Workers at an electricity plant in Kirkuk were on strike yesterday whilst others protested in Baghdad.
The following report is from the General Federation of Workers in Iraq
On Tuesday 13 March 2007 Workers and Technicians at "Taza Plant 15K" outside Kirkuk conducted a day strike action calling on the local authorities to improve their security from extremist attacks which are killing many workers indiscriminately. The strikers also called on the management of the plant to increase their pay.
