One of the biggest book publishing companies in the country, “Ellinika Grammata Publications”, closed down with no prior notification, making 100 employees redundant out of the blue -without taking into account the numerous freelance collaborators (translators etc). “Ellinika Grammata” is owned by Lambrakis Press S.A., the largest media group in Greece, which is anything but a hard hit victim of the crisis.

Lay-offs in the book sector have increased alarmingly recently. A number of base unions (i.e. grassroots unions) such as the Union of Employees in the Book Sector and the Union of Translators, Proofreaders and Editors are giving a fight along with the recently fired employees of Elliniki Grammata.

Among other things, a demo has been called for today (15/9) at 17:30 (local time) outside the Athens Concert Hall, to the Lambrakis Press SA offices (Mihalakopoulou 80).

The blog of the employees (in greek) http://ellgrergazomenoi.wordpress.com/