After the 10-week strike at the University of Athens and the National Technical University of Athens, the federation of university administrative employees decided to go on two more 48-hour strikes despite the request to start courses on Tuesday. The Council of State dismissed the administrative employees who wanted the government suspension and dismissal plans suspended. The council’s decision did not come as a surprise, though the university administrative employees have not yet responded to the rejection of their appeal. It was also discussed if the Senate would contribute to the employees struggle, and there was also talk of a complete suspension of the universities’ operations.
The Senate of the University of Athens already announced its intent to resume courses this Tuesday and has published the program for the upcoming exams, provided that the strikers don’t try to forbid access to the university’s facilities. Meanwhile, the management of the universities are trying to distance themselves from the strike.
Theodoros Fortsakis, the President of the Law School of Athens proposed, that if the administrative employees don’t decide to end the strike, then the Ministry of Education hire emergency administrative staff so that the institutions are able to finally open their doors. He also added that the strikers who are faced with suspension and dismissal have been interrupting the Senate meetings, while the Greek Minister of Education, Mr. Konstntinos Arvanitopoulos warned that if the students, along with the teaching staff are not allowed in the university buildings, then the police will be forced to intervene. He believes that the semester can be saved and the students will be able to attend courses as usual.
It should also be mentioned that the nine departments of NTUA are under student occupation, which is also a problem when it comes to resuming the exams and beginning of courses.
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