Kalymnos Municipal Workers’ Union Calls for Support of Nursery School Employees
The Employees’ Union of the Municipality of Kalymnos is calling on the Municipal Council to take immediate action in support of workers employed at municipal nursery schools, according to a formal letter addressed to council officials and local authorities.
In the document, the union criticizes the planned staffing model for nursery schools through EETAA-funded programs and voucher schemes, arguing that it promotes insecure employment conditions, temporary contracts, and the recycling of unemployment. The union also claims that such policies contribute to labor insecurity and the gradual privatization of social welfare structures.
Workers express strong opposition to the operation of social structures with fixed-term contract employees, emphasizing that essential social services cannot rely on temporary staff when they are covering permanent and ongoing needs. Particular reference is made to the municipal nursery school in Pserimos, where employees have reportedly continued working under consecutive contracts from 2017 through 2025.
The union stresses that without these employees, the nursery school would be unable to function properly, while noting that waiting lists already exist for children who cannot be accommodated due to staff shortages.
Among the requests submitted to the Municipal Council are:
- The issuance of an official resolution supporting nursery school employees.
- Legal support measures by the municipality in cases where employees are vindicated in court.
- Full state funding of social welfare structures based on actual operational needs.
- Strengthening social services with permanent staff positions and conversion of long-term contracts into permanent organizational posts.
According to the union’s letter, the matter is expected to be discussed at the next Municipal Council meeting, as the deadline for municipalities to submit related decisions expires on May 17.
