The purpose of the meeting which took place late at noon at the Ministry of National Defence, presided by the Minister of National Defence Mr. Panos Panagiotopoulos and attended by the Chairman of General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE) I. Panagopoulos and the presiding board of the Elefsis Shipyards’ Workers Union, was to accelerate the procedure for the reoperation -as soon as possible- of the Elefsis Shipyards.
After the completion of the meeting, Mr. Panos Panagiotopoulos thanked the MPs for signing at the Parliament the relative amendment for the Shipyards, the Chairman of GSEE I. Panagopoulos, the Special Secretary of the Ministry of National Defence Mr. A. Oikonomou and delegates of the workers for their precious contribution to the great effort that was made, and then pointed out that the issue of the Shipyards is of National importance.
The complete statements of the Minister of National Defence, the Chairman of the GSEE and the workers’ delegates, which were made immediately after the meeting, are the following:
P. PANAGIOTOPOULOS: From this day, in the Ministry of National Defence, we continue the effort that goes into another phase, to implement as fast as possible the Regulation that has already been approved by the Parliament.
A Regulation that begun by initiative of the MPs we would all want to thank; an initiative that met the Government’s initiative.
Today we met here, the Chairman of GSEE, the chairman of the presiding board of the Elefsina Shipyards’ Workers Union and members of the Union, in order to find the way to accelerate the steps towards the realization of this agreement, to achieve the approval of the Parliament for the text of the new framework agreement which was achieved among the Ministry and the Shipyard company, and to finally enable the operation of the Shipyards and the employment and payment of their workers.
What is most important is that, as Ministry of National Defence, we will be able to have as fast as possible the Hellenic Navy ships. The Navy needs them, so as to further enforce the shielding of National Defence.
Now that this new meeting has been completed, I would like to thank the Chairman of GSEE for his valuable contribution to the great effort that has been made. I would also like to thank the special secretary of the Ministry of National Defence Antonis Oikonomou, who has decisively contributed with his effort; I would like to thank Thanassis Danoussis and his associates here from the Presiding Board; we will hear them later on. Finally I would also like to thank my collaborator, Mr. Harris Vlassopoulos.
The effort that has already been made is great. We have encountered a positive disposition from the MPs of many political parties and in this way, by uniting and not by dividing, we are decided to go forward.
The issue of the Shipyards is a national issue, a matter of national importance and, as we are cutting the Gordian Knot of Elefsis, and similar problems that we have inherited from the past, in the same way we will cut another Gordian Knot; the one of Skaramangas. The country needs the last arm heavy industry that is left, and that is our national shipyards.
I. PANAGOPOULOS: The efforts that already count numerous months, the struggles, the negotiations have met with success. The contribution of the Ministry of National Defence and the Minister has been decisive towards the accomplishment of this effort.
We should proceed to the implementation and this was what we discussed at fast pace; as the Minister already pointed out, it should have essential characteristics. By that I mean that besides Elefsis, we should also consider the country’s marine industry; Skaramangas and Neorion.
Something I believe, and something I have asked from the Minister and he immediately showed his will to contribute and help, is that Skaramangas and Neorion should be the new milestone so that someday we will be able to discuss, since all shipyards will exist, about the country’s marine industry. We need it and it is inconceivable, in a country such as Greece which consists of numerous islands, with such a tradition, to not be able to maintain and further develop marine industry.
A. DANOUSSIS (Chairman of the Presiding Board of the Elefsina Shipyards’ Workers Union): With the help, support and decisive role assumed by the Minister of National Defence Mr. Panagiotopoulos, the Special Secretary Mr. Oikonomou and their colleagues, the Shipyards are opening again.
Seventy agonizing families engage to prove themselves worthy of the expectations and efforts of the Ministry of National Defence.
Yesterday in the Parliament, the Government’s and the Minister’s of National Defence disposition and intention to help the reopening of the Elefsis Shipyards, as well as the completion of the three Hellenic Navy missile torpedo boats.
Today, with great swiftness in this meeting which has been completed, we observed and we implement at a second phase, all the agreements and amendments that were yesterday filed in the Parliament and this practically offers what we said before, it ensures job posts. It gives to our Hellenic Navy the three missile torpedo boats, a potential for the continuity of an industry which is one of the few remaining heavy industries in Greece and one that can, under certain circumstances, become the steam engine for the country’s productive reform.
Once more, we would like to thank you. As I already said, we engage to prove ourselves worthy of the expectations and efforts of the Ministry of National Defence.
On the occasion of today’s meeting, I would like to invite the Minister of National Defence, the Special Secretary mister Oikonomou and their colleagues to visit our shipyards in order to give to the workers the opportunity to express themselves their gratitude for the resolution of a besetting problem that had led us to indigence and penury.
We shall expect them with a lot of love and he should feel sure that he will never forget our hospitality and he will apropos see the Hellenic Navy vessels, the state they are in and how industrial workers work in heavy industry.
D. KOLLIAS (Member of the Presiding Board of the Elefsina Shipyards’ Workers Union): We would like to thank the Minister of National Defence Mr. Panagiotopoulos, the Ministry’s Special Secretary for their support and help they offered us so as to resolve the besetting problem we face as workers, but also as shipyards, and be able to get paid and also continue the operation of the shipyards.
As workers, we guarantee that the dates we have given you for the delivery of the vessels will be respected they will be delivered on time so that the Hellenic Navy will be effective but also the workers will have a future in the shipyards and the heavy industry.
I would like to thank once more mister Panagiotopoulos, mister Oikonomou for the help they have offered us during all this time.
N. PAPANIKOLOAOU (Member of the Presiding Board of the Elefsina Shipyards’ Workers Union): Today the Minister and his staff gave a vote of confidence to the workers at Elefsis Shipyards.
Our commitment is to implement what has been tormenting us for years now, the missile torpedo boats’ programme. This will give a boost to heavy industry and generally to the entire Thriassio Field.
