The Union of Greek Actors (SEH) issued a resolution that was approved by a majority, after its Extraordinary General Assembly on the occasion of the proposed KYA, presented last Friday (17/2) by the three co-competent ministries (Finance, Interior, Culture and Sports).

The SEH in its announcement mentions, among other things, that the proposed KYA improves the salaries of artists by establishing a special salary category equivalent to TE (technological education), but without classifying them in a professional category, since it does not specify qualifications for appointment. At the same time, according to SEH, KYA does not amend PD 85/2022, which is also their constant request. “We are not two whole months on the road to 179 euros (as much as the salary difference from the category DE to TE). If the government believes that with proportional application of the subsidy policy of energy/market/fuel/tourism passes it will solve the problem, it is deeply laughed at and infuriatingly indifferent. We are not fighting for benefits. We fight for rights. For the recognition of our studies. For our dignity” emphasizes SEH.

The following is the full announcement of the Greek Actors Association:

“RESOLUTION – FRAMEWORK APPROVED BY MAJORITY:

65 days after the issuance of PD 85/2022, the government, after the MAT outside the Chiller building, also instructed the MAT to brutally repress teachers and student artists who were peacefully demonstrating outside the Concert Hall as part of a pre-election event. As a union we denounce state violence and declare our complete disgust at the images of police officers with weapons outside cultural spaces – OUR SPACES that is – against educators and artists. It seems that we disturb and disturb a lot.

After all, it took two months of struggle by artists and students (strikes, marches, interventions, occupations), resignations of teaching staff and an uprising of students of related HEI departments (which are also under occupation), in order for the government to commit through the Prime Minister that until the end of the week “legislation” would be filed.

The “legislative regulation” eventually became a CPA which does not pass parliamentary scrutiny and, of course – for those legally aware – is subordinate to a law or Presidential Decree and as such is extremely vulnerable to appeals before the Council of State.

The proposed KYA, therefore, improves – indeed – the salaries of artists by establishing a special salary category equivalent to TE (technological education). With a very important trap, however, confirming our belief that “the devil is hidden in the details”:

1. This General Terms and Conditions does not classify us in a PROFESSIONAL CATEGORY, since it does not specify qualifications for appointment. All they offer is a HORIZONTAL salary upgrade, which is guaranteed, however, for anyone hired for this “project” (eg actor, set designer, etc.). In other words, all graduates of three-year studies of HIGHER and schools recognized by the law and the Constitution, graduates of two-year studies of IEK / DIEK, college graduates or even experienced artists – without even a degree or diploma related to the arts – are welcome if they are hired for a PROJECT (actor, set designer, etc.) will be paid the SAME salary.

2. Thus, we do not have recognition of our studies and obviously we do not have SEPARATION of the HIGHER schools from all other schools of another type.

3. At the same time, KYA does not amend PD 85/2022, as we have been asking for so long.

4. This, of course, creates other problems. How will positions be advertised? Will they be announced as DE and be paid on par with TE? And are we sure that this will not create reason for constant objections and constant exclusions?

To put it simply. We are not 2 whole months on the road to 179 euros (as much as the salary difference from the category DE to TE). If the Government believes that with proportional application of the subsidy policy of energy/market/fuel/tourism passes it will solve the problem, it is deeply laughed at and infuriatingly indifferent. We are not fighting for benefits. We fight for RIGHTS. For the recognition of our studies. FOR OUR DIGNITY.

We are not in any way asking for a revision of Article 16 of the Constitution. We request – within the provisions of article 16 – the inclusion of all graduates of art schools and workers in Art and Culture, in the category T.E. (except those already belonging to the P.E. category), something that is done and has already been done in many other cases.

Of course, our demands for the establishment of public tertiary higher art education and unified public art education, at all levels and the strengthening of the student body with benefits of feeding, housing and free textbooks remain active along with the whole field of our demands.

We know that we have already won a lot. Apart from the not negligible salary upgrade, for the first time society knows the current framework of our diplomas, for the first time the University of performing arts and the requested assimilation for the old diplomas entered the public debate at the level of public commitments.

But we still have a lot to claim. Having a multi-faceted fight ahead of us, we have already started the negotiations for a SSE with PETH, maintaining our strength and competitiveness.

The General Assembly authorized the Board of Directors for the following actions:

– Wednesday, February 22nd, online “protest performance” at deree college’s online event “Deree Info Sessions presents the Frances Rich School of Fine and Performing Arts”.

– Thursday, February 23, gathering in Propylaia at 12.00 pm.

– Friday, February 24, meeting with ENTHEPA for SSE.

– Weekend, coordination with students for a European day of action – “occupation” of Syntagma Square.

– Clean Monday, concert in Propylaia or Syntagma.

– After Clean Monday: collective agreement with DI.PE.THE. Patras and 2nd meeting for SSE with PETH.

– Interdepartmental conference on education.

– Establishment of an interdisciplinary working group by the unions on “what university we want”.

– Announcing a new strike in collaboration with the other artistic unions.

– Depending on the progress of the negotiations with the Ministry of the Interior, which of course will be accompanied by mobilizations, an amendment will be submitted to all parties, which will extend Law 4325/15 that applies to musicians in the OTAs.

Because the race is long-term, a marathon and not a 100-meter race, we are thinking from now that the Athens festival is organized in the summer and how – if necessary – our mobilizations could continue there, inviting the artistic associations to their planning”.