Peter's Viewpoint

There is a phrase otherwise called proverb that says, "Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth", meaning, don't be ungrateful when you receive a gift.

The main electric company (PPC) union is squabbling with the government that is trying to stay afloat during the economic crisis, displays a work ethic that was never learned by the dissidents of the Greek power utility union known as Genop. 

The union has been receiving funds from the government based on an agreement that was created to assist the employees during its beginning but has been generously continued until today.  The union now demands that the government pay them 12 billion euros, based on that agreement, without regard to the economic crisis while recent audits have uncovered non-business related expenses charged to the company by union employees.

Greek power utility

Recalling another similar story, a manager at an international company here informed me that the company gave the employees turkeys for the Christmas holidays in addition to other benefits.

Due to cost cutting, they decided to reduce the expense and discontinue providing this benefit. They found themselves being sued by the employees with supported by the department of labor in favor of the employees.  As such, instead of the company eliminating the cost of the extra Christmas gift, they were forced to eliminate jobs.

A gift is a voluntary favor or gesture, it is not something that you always receive nor is it something that you should expect or demand.

Thus the fable, don’t look a turkey in the mouth, or you could find yourself out of a job.