Bus employees in Larnaca initiate a 48-hour work stoppage
Larnaca Bus Strike Ends After Government Mediation
A 48-hour strike by Larnaca bus workers, which brought the public bus network to a halt for over a week, has come to an end following a government-mediated deal. The strike was part of a broader 10-day industrial action in response to a perceived violation of the collective agreement by Larnaca Public Transport Services and Operations Ltd (LPT).
The dispute centred around issues such as unpaid breaks, overtime pay, and route cards. The employees of LPT, represented by unions OMEPEGE-SEK, SEGDEMELIN-PEO, and DEE EMPORIKON DEOK, demanded that LPT recognise and pay for a mandated one-hour break and compensate overtime from the first minute worked beyond 7 hours and 36 minutes per day. They also raised concerns about the company's handling of route cards, which were not properly acknowledging or paying for breaks[1][2][3].
The strike, which began at 5:30 am on July 30, took place at the Larnaca bus station and was in accordance with the Industrial Relations Code. The negotiating committee had given LPT a final deadline to comply during a meeting held on Tuesday, July 29, at the Ministry of Labour[4].
The government-mediated deal, reached on August 9, includes several key components. LPT has agreed to restore the one-hour paid break, pay overtime from the very first minute beyond 7 hours and 36 minutes per workday, and include all breaks on route cards, with the company paying for these cards. Route card changes and functionality disputes will be reviewed by relevant ministries before implementation. Joint monthly reviews of breaks and routes have been moved forward to the last ten days each month for better monitoring and adjustment. The agreement will also be continuously monitored by ministry officials to ensure full compliance[1][2][3][4].
In a statement, the unions expressed their gratitude for the government's intervention and urged LPT to respect the collective agreement and implement what has been agreed upon. They also asked for the public's understanding in case of any inconvenience caused by the strike. Trade unions and the labour relations department pledged to continue overseeing the resolution of any outstanding issues to guarantee full implementation of the collective agreement[1][4].
With the strike now over, buses resumed normal service after nearly two weeks of disruption. The resolution of this industrial action is a testament to the importance of upholding collective agreements and ensuring fair working conditions for all employees.
- The resolution of the Larnaca bus strike, which lasted for nearly two weeks, was facilitated by a government-mediated deal, ensuring that the one-hour paid break and overtime pay will be recognized and implemented by Larnaca Public Transport Services and Operations Ltd (LPT).
- As part of the agreement, LPT has committed to pay for route cards that acknowledge and pay for breaks, and will undergo reviews of route card changes and disputes by relevant ministries before implementation.
- Joint monthly reviews of breaks and routes have been scheduled for the last ten days each month to ensure better monitoring and adjustment, and the agreement will be continuously monitored by ministry officials to ensure full compliance.
- The European Union (EU) finance industry and the public-transit industry will be watching closely as the situation progresses, with hopes that this resolution will set a precedent for upholding collective agreements and ensuring fair working conditions in the business sector.
