To the steelworkers and their families in Aspropirgos
Dear colleagues,
on behalf of the Central Committee of the MLPD and all of our members we ensure you our full solidarity. We strongly condemn the scandalous verdict of 9 April 2014 with which your months-long exemplary steelworkers' strike of 2011/12 is being criminalized.
We were outraged to hear on 22 April that the judge Konstantina Polizogopoulou convicted a total of 24 steelworkers from your ranks to up to 23 months prison – because you courageously fought for over nine months against mass dismissals at Halivourgiki and became an important example internationally for the struggle of the working class in the world economic and financial crisis. We are also outraged that the convicted workers will be automatically dismissed by the company, without any right to receive unemployment benefits or health insurance.
We informed the public immediately on our Internet platform rf-news and in our weekly newspaper Rote Fahne (Red Flag) and, here in Germany, we organize international solidarity with you, your families and your supporters in Greece, especially on upcoming May 1st, the international day of struggle of the working class.
As grounds for the verdict were stated the reinstatement of the order against „illegal violence“. This can only be understood as it is actually meant - as class jurisdiction to maintain the overcome system of exploitation.
This verdict was taken to implement the dictate of the Troika and EU, as well as in the interest of the Greek government and the international monopolies. Is it a coincidence that the visit of Chancellor Merkel took place almost at the same time?
Your struggle has become a symbol for the struggle against internationally coordinated crisis programs far beyond the borders of Greece, and it lives on in the hearts of the working-class and the people's masses.
To coordinate and revolutionize the struggles of the working-class and the broad people's masses worldwide the ICOR was founded in October 2010. Just a few weeks ago it conducted its second world conference. The MLPD is proud to be an active member and will inform the ICOR member organizations directly.
For the immediate reversal and cancellation of the anti-labor verdicts against the steelworkers of Aspropirgos!
Struggle for each and every job!
Reinstatement of the dismissed steelworkers!
Rebellion against the EU is justified!
Workers of all countries, unite!
Workers of all countries and all oppressed, unite!
Monika Gärtner-Engel, Vice Chairperson
Peter Weispfenning, Responsible Person for Internationalism
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