The vast majority of Pizza Fan locations reopened on Wednesday, November 11, to an overwhelmingly positive response. Nearly 2,500 workers returned to their jobs — however, as reported by ERT, trade unions representing the food service sector are stepping up pressure regarding employment contracts, which are listed as part-time but, as unions emphasize, employees are working full-time hours, with undeclared “black” cash payments making up the difference. Additional concerns include the proper use of digital work cards and the payment of outstanding wages. The Panhellenic Federation of Food and Tourism Workers (ΠΟΕΕΤ) has called for October wages to be paid in full, while the Food, Tourism and Hotel Employees’ Union of Attica is warning of further industrial action to secure both jobs and back pay.
Statement from the Panhellenic Federation of Food and Tourism Workers (ΠΟΕΕΤ)
Pizza Fan has reopened — now convert all worker contracts to full-time employment! Pay all outstanding October wages. The ordeal faced by Pizza Fan employees is nearing its end, but there are issues that must be resolved immediately!
Most urgently, the contracts of 2,500 workers must be converted to full-time status. What the tax evasion case against the chain revealed is that the overwhelming majority of employees were falsely registered in the ERGANI employment system. Workers putting in up to 10 hours a day, six days a week, were recorded as part-time employees working just three to four hours daily — with the remaining wages paid off the books in cash.
The digital work card system must be implemented correctly, with exclusive control given to employees themselves — not to business owners or managers.
Finally, all outstanding October wages must be paid in full, including pay for the days the stores were closed — a commitment that was acknowledged and accepted by the company’s legal representatives at the tripartite meeting held at the Ministry of Labour. We call on the Ministry of Labour to monitor the smooth resumption of operations and ensure the company honours its commitments. ΠΟΕΕΤ will continue to track developments and keep workers informed.
Statement from the Food, Tourism and Hotel Employees’ Union of Attica
“The struggle of Pizza Fan workers and the Union has delivered results — we press on to ensure all jobs and outstanding wages are secured in practice,” stated the Food, Tourism and Hotel Employees’ Union of Attica.
The union also noted that “it has been proven once again that organised struggle can deliver results. This outcome was not a given — it was achieved solely through the organised, collective, and determined action of Pizza Fan workers acting through the Union. The fight continues to ensure that all jobs are protected in practice, all terms are guaranteed, and all worker demands are met. No one should place their trust in management, which has demonstrated throughout this entire period — including through the closure of its stores — that it places profit above the needs of its workers.”
