The Athens Court of First Instance, with its recently published judgment no. 11080/2024, has issued a final ruling in favor of contract employees at Panteion University, awarding them retroactively the Christmas, Easter, and Holiday bonuses dating back to 2014.
This new decision marks yet another major victory for the Panteion University contract staff, represented by the Law Firm “Spilios Spiliopoulos & Associates.”
Relevant announcement by the Panteion University Staff Association [click here].
The contract employees of Panteion University had filed a lawsuit claiming retroactive payment of the Christmas, Easter, and Holiday bonuses for the years 2014, 2015, and 2016.
Both at the first and second instance, the court ruled in favor of the employees, finding that the austerity Law 4093/2012 blatantly violated not only the provisions of the Greek Constitution but also those of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
It is worth noting that Panteion University had appealed the initial first-instance decision that ruled in favor of the employees before the Athens Court of First Instance. However, the Court rejected the university’s appeal, thereby closing the case definitively and irrevocably, awarding the bonuses retroactively for the three-year period 2014–2016, with interest.
The case is now moving toward immediate payment by the financial services of Panteion University.
Recent Developments on the 13th & 14th Salaries in the Public Sector
This case adds to two other recent and equally significant developments regarding the broad issue of retroactive claims for the 13th and 14th salaries in the entire public sector, including permanent civil servants as well as fixed-term and open-ended contract workers.
In particular:
- On June 6, 2025, the Plenary Session of the Council of State (Supreme Administrative Court) is scheduled to hear a pilot case concerning public employees’ claims for the restoration of the 13th and 14th salaries. The Supreme Administration of Greek Civil Servants Trade Unions has formally intervened in the proceedings, and the case has garnered significant attention from all employee associations. The ruling is expected to determine the future of such claims and, by extension, the financial entitlements of public servants who have filed relevant lawsuits.
- The Union of Judges and Prosecutors, in a recent open letter to the Minister, emphasized that Greek judges now officially raise the issue of restoring the 13th and 14th salaries in the public sector. The Union pointed out that the rationale behind their abolition no longer applies in the post-austerity era (“post-memorandum era”) and that the bonuses, still valid in the private sector, should return to the public sector as well.
Important Note:
The pilot trial before the Plenary of the Council of State does not automatically safeguard the rights of all employees. It only affects those participating in it. Therefore, to secure your right to claim bonuses and benefits, filing a lawsuit before the pilot trial is heard is essential.
In other words, only those who file a claim before June 6, 2025, the date of the pilot hearing, will be legally and financially protected in asserting their claims for the 13th and 14th salary cuts.
Information on Group Lawsuits for the NEW Retroactive Claims
For detailed information on group lawsuits regarding the retroactive claims for the 13th and 14th salaries and the required forms, click here.
