Text by the workers of the self-organised restaurant “barthelonika”

As reported, the workers of the restaurant “barthelonika” in Thessaloniki, Greece have decided to take the restaurant under their own control(http://www.occupiedlondon.org/blog/2010/06/30/323-thessaloniki-greece-the-first-self-organised-restaurant-has-arrived ) in order to prevent its closure. What follows is a translation of a text issued by the workers themselves (greek original here:)
http://athens.indymedia.org/front.php3?lang=el&article_id=1189270
explaining their action and calling for solidarity.


AGAINST THE CLOSURE OF THE RESTAURANT BARTHELONIKA

LETS SUPPORT THE SELF-MANAGEMENT OF THE RESTAURANT BY ITS WORKERS









Since Monday the 7th of June us, the workers at the restaurant Barthelonika 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 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 wether it would reopen in September and how many of us would work – and under what working conditions. They also announced 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 todayʼs 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 bef ired. 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

http://www.occupiedlondon.org/blog/2010/07/01/325-text-by-the-workers-of-the-self-organised-restaurant-barthelonika/