Greek bargaining recast 


Changes in collective bargaining arrangements have led to falls in living standards, according to a report produced by INE, the research institute linked to the main Greek union confederations GSEE and ADEDY.


Most Greek workers were covered by industry level agreements setting minimum standards, but this is now no longer the case. Where collective bargaining takes place at all, it is now largely at company level, where union negotiators can be pressurised into accepting lower pay increases or wage cuts. 


The report points out that, of 282 collective agreements signed in 2015, only 12 were at national or industry level. The remainder were either at company level (263) or local (seven). 


Half of the workforce in the private sector now has net earnings of €800 or less a month.


€1 = 79p on 20 April.