The meeting that the seasonal firefighters had with the Minister of Civil Protection Vassilis Kikilias ended fruitless. The government side insisted on not renewing the contracts of 2,500 seasonal firefighters, noting that this is what the suggestion of the natural leadership of the Fire Service states.
“The minister was clear. He accepts the proposals of the natural leadership that do not cover us in any case. Those over 35, as we were told, have no future beyond seasonality,” noted Akis Bardakis, vice-president of the Panhellenic Association of Contract Firefighters.
12 months work until vindication
“We are asking for 12 months of work and this is what we will continue to ask for until we get justice. Nothing we’ve heard covers us. We will update our members and see what decision is made in the next few days. We are not at all satisfied,” he said in closing.
In the meantime, the police made arrests outside the Ministry of Civil Protection and while Minister Kikilias was at the meeting with the representatives of the seasonal firefighters.
During the minister’s meeting with representatives of seasonal firefighters, a small number of seasonal firefighters were outside the ministry building demonstrating against government policy on their work and contracts. The gathering was also attended by three young people who stated that they came to express their solidarity with the seasonal firefighters. At an unsuspecting time, OPKE and Security police officers approached the three young men and physically checked them. A protest banner was found on them, specifically in a bag, and then the police were ordered to arrest them.
A seasonal firefighter was also lucky enough to be brought in, who told the police: “leave the children alone”.
#Seasonal #firefighters #meeting #Kikilia #fruitless #satisfied
