General secretary Dave Prentis has sent a message of support and solidarityto the public water company workers behind a popular referendum on the privatisation of their servic e.
The Greek government said in February that it wanted to sell off the water utilities of Athens and Thessaloniki, despite public anger over privatisation.
Thessalonika’s EYATH union played a key role in the citizens’ campaign Save our Water, and in organising the referendum on 18 May.
Writing to EYATH president George Archontopoulos, Mr Prentis said: “UNISON believes that water is a vital human resource that should be provided in the public interest and not for private profit.
“Our experience of water privatisation in England and Wales has only served to reaffirm that belief.”
Mr Prentis congratulated the Greek workers for the way they have built public support among the citizens of Thessaloniki.
“We wish you well with the referendum and look forward to being able to celebrate your success in preventing the privatisation of the company,” he added.
Many feel that the Greek government’s austerity programme – imposed by the “troika” of the European Commission, European Central Bank and IMF – is having a disastrous effect on the Greek economy, pushing many people into unemployment and poverty, and forcing many young people to emigrate.
Campaign: A million voices for puboic serivces
