4.  The applicants were born on the dates listed in the Annex. 5.  The applicants are employed in the General Hospital of Chalkida. 6.  On 4 July 2000 they lodged an action against the hospital with the First Instance Administrative Court of Chalkida seeking the payment of a premium to their salary, ranging between 840,000 drachmas (approximately 2,465.15 euros) and 3,360,000 drachmas (approximately 9,860.59 euros), plus interest. 7.  On 31 May 2002 a preliminary decision was published asking the applicants to pay the fees required (δικαστικό ένσημο) in order to comply with the procedural rules (decision no. 215/2002). 8.  Following the payment of the fees required, the hearing took place on 12 March 2003. 9.  On 8 October 2003 another preliminary decision was published asking the applicants to submit supplementary evidence regarding their allegations (judgment no. 570/2002). 10.  Subsequently, a hearing took place on 7 June 2006 and by judgment dated 25 June 2007 the First Instance Administrative Court of Chalkida partially accepted their action (judgment no. 305/2007). 11.  On 3 November 2007 the hospital lodged an appeal. 12.  On 3 July 2009 the Piraeus Administrative Court of Appeal rejected the appeal and upheld the First Instance court’s decision (judgment no. 1321/2009). 13.  The applicants were served with the decision on 19 October 2009.