Syros: backlash over disciplinary probe of union president

A wave of reactions has swept Syros after the management of the General Hospital “Vardakeio and Proio” launched a Sworn Administrative Inquiry against the president of the Workers’ Association, Katerina Kalogeraki. According to statements from the bodies involved, the trigger was her public remarks to local media, in which she highlighted problems with the hospital’s operation and understaffing. A Sworn Administrative Inquiry is a preliminary disciplinary stage and does not in itself entail a penalty. The process concludes with a finding, which determines whether disciplinary proceedings will follow.

The Association covers the Vardakeio and Proio Hospital as well as the central and decentralised units of the 1st Regional Health Authority of the South Aegean. Eight collective bodies from the Cyclades co-signed a joint statement of support, calling for the inquiry to be cancelled, an end to all intimidation practices, respect for leave entitlements, and the hiring of permanent staff.

The bodies are also demanding that trade union freedom be safeguarded within the hospital. Signatories include the Association of Private Employees of the Cyclades, the Workers’ Association of the Municipality of Syros-Ermoupoli, EMDYDAS Attica – Cyclades Branch, the Association of Employees of the Cyclades Regional Unit, the Association of Employees of the Decentralised Administration of the Aegean, the Association of Special Educational Staff for Special Education, the Association of Primary Education Teachers of Syros-Tinos-Mykonos, and the Cyclades branch of the Panhellenic Union of Retired Teachers.

The joint statement speaks of “practices of authoritarianism, intimidation and silencing” and concludes: “We will not be terrorised — we will not be silent — we will not back down.” The unions also declared their opposition to the new disciplinary framework for civil servants, which they believe facilitates such proceedings.

The protest rally was set for 12:00 on Thursday, 13 August, outside the General Hospital of Syros. It is the first collective mobilisation of this kind at the island’s hospital in recent years. The action comes at a time when pressure on healthcare services in the Cyclades is peaking due to tourist traffic. Syros Hospital serves as a referral hospital for a significant part of the island cluster.

The Local Base Organisation of Syros of the KKE also intervened, denouncing what it called “trade union persecution” and arguing that management is making use of the new disciplinary law, noting that “numerous inquiries are underway initiated by hospital directors and health authorities.” It called for the inquiry to be cancelled and for the immediate filling of vacant permanent positions for medical, nursing and other staff.

A press release on the matter was also issued by the Prefectural Election Campaign Committee of PASOK Cyclades. As of publication, the hospital’s management had not made any public statement and had not responded to the allegations. Cyclades Today will publish its position should one be made available. More from Syros on the Syros page.