11-24-08, 9:40 am
Editor's note: George Marinos heads the labor movement work of the Greek Communist Party. Marinos is also a member of Parliament representing the Communist Party of Greece. George Perros is a member of the Executive Secreteriat of the Greek All-workers Militant Front (PAME). George Mavrikos is the general secretary of the World Federation of Trade Unions. These interviews were conducted in Athens in August 2008.
PA: Please tell us a little about the history of the Party.
GM: The Greek Communist Party is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. The Communist Party Youth is celebrating its 40th year. We have been through a long history of struggle for growth and survival. Time doesn't permit a long explanation. Our comrades have faced imprisonment, death and illegal status. Also, there have been defections. Full legal status as a communist was not won until 1974. It wasn't until 1962 that known communists could hold a job. But, through it all, we are here.
In our last Greek election, our party got 8 percent of the vote which gave us 22 seats in the parliament. We hold three seats in the European Parliament.
PA: To what do you attribute your advances?
GM: Our party is a Marxist-Leninist party. We are always putting forward the struggles and issues facing the working classes. We always seek a united working class through the struggles of the trade unions. That is why we support a strong and expanding World Federation of Trade Unionists. Unity in our party is always our goal. Our enemies often ask how we survive and grow? We tell them the same. They may not like our political line and our successes, but we have their full respect.
PA: Where has your growth come from?
GM: Recently even social democratic forces are joining our party. Of course, workers through their trade union experience, especially the left federation, the All-workers Militant Front (PAME), are seeing the need for Communist Party.
PA: What are the main initiatives of PAME in the current period?
GP: Our labor federation is very actively involved in coordinating trade union activities in Greece. Our method of work is actions and struggles. Right now our focus is with young workers and immigrant workers. We are actively oppositng our government's anti-worker programs which cut back on workers rights and attempt to follow the anti worker dictates of the European Union.
We are, everyday, protecting the social security rights of all Greek workers. We fight for a stable working situation; against the privatization being driven by the European Union and forces present here in Greece. Protecting and improving the health, education and lives or workers is our priority.
PA: Is there another labor federation in Greece?
GP Yes. You might want to visualize two sides of trade union struggles. On the one side is PAME which struggles all the time for workers rights against employers dictates. On the other side is a labor federation which subjugates itself to the dictates of the Greek government.
PA: What is the size of PAME?
George Perros: PAME has approximately 600,000 members. We have been bringing more workers into PAME over the past months.
PA: You indicated a strong interest in international solidarity. Can you describe this?
GP: Yes, international solidarity is a major focus of our work. We are directly affiliated with the World Federation of Trade Unions and agrees with its militant actions and solidarity initiatives. For example, this Saturday, we will be having a special all day meeting with South African Trade unions. In this meeting we will be focusing on the issue of immigration; specifically the immigration of African workers to Europe and Greece.
Also, PAME is hosting displaced Palestinian children due to the very difficult situation in their country. Also, on September 25th a delegation from PAME and Greek workers will be going to Syria/Lebonen; about 130 will be in that delegation.
PA: What are your areas of trade union priorities?
GP: We are focusing on transportation and the dangerous privatization taking place in the airlines and railroads. Unions in the United States interested in solidarity work around those industrial concentrations are invited to email us and join the struggle. Our email is: pame@hot.gr; and our website is: www.pamehellas.gr.
PA: Describe some of the recent changes at WFTU?
George Mavrikos: At the WFTU Congress in Havana, Cuba in December 2005, the decision was made to move the WFTU headquarters from Prague, Czech Republic to Athens, Greece. This took place the following month, January 2006. Most of the records are now in place in Athens.
PA: What are the main prioities of the WFTU?
GM: We have three main priorities: First at the our actions. We are holding seminars in all the continents with strong solidarity. We just held a Conference on Working Women in Brussels where 105 women from 65 countries attended. We held a conference on immigration in the 21st century and last year, in Ecuador 145 trade unionists met to discuss the new situation in the Western Hemisphere. As you know the changes have been dramatic.
The second priority is strengthening our organization. We are strengthening our regional organizations/branches/regions; and, the TUIs, Trade Union Internationals groupings which are active include: Construction with a conference in Greece; Energy with a recent conference in Mexico; Transport with a conference in Brazil; and metalworkers in Spain. TUIs on public services, education/teachers and agriculture are in the works.
Our 3rd priority is to fully participate in international organizations. For example at the International Labor Organization. At the recent meeting of the ILO we fully participating in helping to gain the leadership of the Chinese trade unions into the ILO governing body. It is said that we were instrumental in that effort. We met with The Food and Agriculture Organization in Rome, Italy; and our representative in UNESCO has made our presence their well known. We are also fully represented at the United Nations in New York by our permanent representative Dr. Frank Goldsmith. We are looking more in these arenas.
PA: Have there been any difficulties?
GM: Yes, our affiliates tend to be the most active but also not in strong financial condition. This is why our own financial situation is not as strong as is needed. We take no other money to do our work than from our own affiliates. There is another international trade union group that is trying to convince unions affiliated with us to drop their affiliation. They offer a lot of money, But, they have not been successful.
PA: Are there new initiatives?
GM: Yes, this year we are planning a major meeting in Nigeria for all of our African affiliates. Also, September 19 and 20, there will be a meeting in Nepal for Asian affiliates in December 15 and 16 in Lisbon on the affects of Globalization on European workers.
In 2009 we will be having a meeting in Peru on Working Youth and Globalization. Comrade Valentin Pacho, sitting right here, will be headed up that important meeting.
And, in 2009, the WFTU will holding its next Executive Council meeting in Cyprus. This will be a good time reassess our positions.
