Latest strike action by teachers’ unions against evaluation process ruled illegal

A strike-cum abstention from classwork, declared by the civil servants’ union (ADEDY) in Greece was declared illegal and abusive by an Athens court on Friday afternoon, days after a similar judicial decision squashed a similar industrial action declared by education-related unions themselves.

Unions representing educators in Greece are bitterly opposed to the prospect of school and individual teacher evaluations in the country, something the current center-right government pledged to implement after assuming power in a snap election in July 2019. A relevant law was passed, in fact, to finally allow a rudimentary evaluation process in Greece.

The strike by ADEDY was viewed as an attempt to bypass the previous ruling, essentially placing the industrial action under its auspices.

Each violation carries a 3,000-euro fine, Friday’s court ruling stipulates.

Taking to her Twitter account, Education Minister Niki Kerameos, among others, tweeted that “…we’re continuing (efforts) for a better school, one that our children and teachers deserve.”