Munching for workers' rights

Greek food is tasty, but under workers' control it's DELICIOUS

As Greece continues to face revolt from the working class at the IMF/EU takeover of their country, in the northern city of Thessaloniki, restaurant workers have decided to take things a step further at their work.

The workers at the Barthelonika restaurant were told at the start of last month by the owner that he had decided, due to the poor economic situation, to close the place down over the summer, leaving them without any income, and that he would decide if they were to have a future working for them in September.

The workers responded that the restaurant was making a profit and there was no reason for the closure. The only reason the owner wanted to close the place was that it wasn’t making ENOUGH money – for him.

So, instead, the workers took the place over. Realising that the boss was in fact, like all bosses, just creaming a profit off the top of their labour, they decided they could run the place better themselves. Now the restaurant is working as normal, but with no bosses, no hierarchical relationships and all decisions being made collectively and democratically by the whole workforce. So far it’s been working out great. They’ve even been able to make sure they still get a holiday in August, and this Sunday instead of working in the restaurant they’ll be putting their skills to work feeding participants in an anti-racist festival.

Below is a translation of a text issued by the workers themselves explaining their actions. It’s unlikely that many SSY members will be in Thessaloniki any time soon, but if you are, you know where to get your tea!

“AGAINST THE CLOSURE OF THE RESTAURANT BARTHELONIKA

LET’S SUPPORT THE SELF-MANAGEMENT OF THE RESTAURANT BY ITS WORKERS

Since Monday the 7th of June we, the workers at the restaurant Barthelonika, have run the restaurant ourselves and for this reason, ask for the help and the support of all the workers of Thessaloniki.

Two weeks ago the owners of the restaurant announced to us that the establishment was not going well and that it would close down for the three summer months – and further, that it was uncertain whether it would reopen in September and how many of us would work – and under what working conditions. They also announced to us that all the workers at the restaurant would be fired immediately while firing compensations would only start to be paid out in October… that is, of course, if they had any money to pay the compensations out.

As workers in the food industry we know well that a firing in today’s circumstances of deep economic crisis and tough anti-workerist attacks would mean our throwing out in the cold. For this reason we decided as workers at the restaurant not to bow our heads and to take matters in our own hands. We demanded and achieved from the management of the restaurant to pay some expenses for the establishment and our own insurance – and we now have taken on the management of the restaurant for the following two months (June and July) while in August we have achieved to have our holiday as normal.

As workers at the Barthelonika restaurant we are determined not to allow the restaurant where we work to close but also, not to allow any restaurant to close and no co-worker to be fired. For this reason we stand in solidarity with the just struggle of our co-workers at the Banquet restaurant.

The restaurant Barthelonika will be under our control, through our general assembly. Decisions concerning its running will be taken by majority and will be respected by all us co-workers. Whatever remains from profit after expenses will be distributed equally among all co-workers. All of us co-workers will work the same hours, at the same positions where we were before.

We have also decided to offer a 30% reduction to all customers of the restaurant.

We call for all workers, the youth and the people of Thessaloniki to actively support our effort to run the restaurant, in order to save our jobs and not to be thrown out to unemployment and misery.

The restaurant Barthelonika is in the centre of our city, at 3 Venizelou Str in the Rogoti Arcade, 1st floor, tel. 2310 225 242

Opening hours: 11 am to 1 am. Closed on Sundays.

THE WORKERS OF THE RESTAURANT BARTHELONIKA”

SMASH THE PLATES OF CAPITALISM!!!