Dear colleagues,

we extend our militant greetings to all our brothers, to all the unionists and base trade unions from the countries of the Balkan Peninsula.

Colleagues,

We are particularly worried by the fact that the economic situation of the workers in almost all Balkan countries is almost exhausting, with multifaceted problems, whose main aspects can be centered in the following points:

1. Collective Agreements and Collective Bargaining (salaries, working hours, labor relations, undeclared work, social security etc.)

2. Trade Union Rights and trade union freedoms (interventions by the government and the employers)

This is the situation that exists (in some places is more intense, while in others less intense) in our countries and our region. There are, of course, trade union organizations that show interest, are worried about this ugly situation and organize (based on their forces) their defense and offense. They are unions that respect their role and their mission.

Among these organizations is included the Panhellenic Federation of Workers in Bottled Drinks industry, with its HQ in Thessaloniki, Greece. We are giving our own fights against the antilabor policies of the Greek governments and the anti-people policies of the Greek capitalists.

We think that the Balkan peninsula is the common neighborhood of all of us. We have similar problems for the workers – members of our union. Therefore, we believe that the COORDINATION of “all of us”, will be beneficial for “all of us”.

The Coordination and International Solidarity are the basic weapons of the struggles of the trade union movement.

Aiming to the coordination of all of us, we invite you to an open process of discussion, to a Balkan Trade Union Forum, on April 8-9 2016 in the city of Thessaloniki.

We invite all base trade unions and trade unionists from the Balkan countries, while respecting our particularities, our differences.

Let’s discuss on the above two sectors, let’s exchange information, meet, each one maintaining their values and principles. Any trade union organization willing to fight, so we can defend our rights as workers, has a place in our initiative.

Our Federation, with the help of the World Federation of Trade Unions will cover the expenses of hospitality in Thessaloniki, organization and translation.

For any communication and more information, you can contact the following email [email protected]

The branch Trade Unions of Athens Call to an open meeting on 5^th of March, which will be followed by a demonstration in Solidarity with the Refugees and Against the coming of NATO in the Aegean Sea

The Trade Unions that sign this Invitation Call all workers’, self-employed and student’s unions, and also peace committees of Athens to a meeting on:

The Organization Of The Struggle Against The NATO Presence In The Aegean Sea And The Government-EU-NATO Decisions Which Cause Wars And The Uprooting Of Refugees – For Solidarity To Peoples’ Struggle And To The Refugees

The meeting will be held on Saturday 5^th of March at 10.00

We address an invitation for the organization of our action against the dangerous imperialist plans and the danger of generalization of the war all over Middle East and North Africa which will provoke new innocent victims, as well as new refugee flows. On the pretext of refugee presence, NATO and EU warm up their war machines in our region.

We can’t allow that! The NATO war hawks have no place in the Aegean Sea. We demand that our country doesn’t participate to the imperialist plans. We can’t facilitate any action of NATO. We demand that every NATO base be shut down.

The worker and people movement needs to take place, to be an obstacle to their war plans, to be opposed to the imperialist action. We must strengthen the front against the nationalist and fascist ideology which cultivates xenophobia and racism.

We strengthen our struggle, we resist. We express our solidarity to every people who fights back. To the refugees and immigrants who are being hunted down by despair and death and come to seek a peaceful refuge. We demand human and decent places for temporary hosting as well as measures for their immediate transportation to their destinations under the responsibility of EU and UN.

After the meeting we call to a demonstration at 1pm which will head to EU Offices

Signed by the Branch Trade Unions

Workers in Food – Drink Industries of Athens

Workers in Pharmaceutical Industries of Athens

Metalworkers and Shipbuilding Industries of Greece

Textile Workers of Athens

Printing Union

Workers in Press Agencies of Athens

Paper Industries Union of Athens

Construction Workers of Athens

Electricians Union of Athens

Commerce Employees Union of Athens and Piraeus

Private Companies Employees Union of Athens

Accountants Union of Athens

Tourism – Food – Hotel Workers Union of Athens

Courier and Postal Workers Union of Athens

Telecommunications and IT Union of Athens

Local Administrations Union of Athens

Banks and Finance Employees of Athens

Seafarers unions’ PEMEN “,” Stephenson “” PEEMAGEN “

The Teachers’ Unions SEFERIS “and” Socrates “

National Musicians Union

Private Healthcare Workers’ Union of Athens