Bus Drivers in Larnaca Continue Indefinite Strike Against Proposed Terms

Strategic Insights -

Bus drivers in Larnaca, Cyprus, have rejected a proposal of new terms presented by the labour ministry, leading to the continuation of their indefinite strike. The proposal, which included compensation for work exceeding seven hours and 36 minutes per day and a hard limit of nine hours of work and one hour of break per day, was deemed insufficient by the drivers. The main sticking point remains the stipulation in their collective labour agreement that they work no more than 38 hours per week, 7 hours and 36 minutes per day, which is not being respected.

Key Takeaways:

  • The labour ministry proposed that Cyprus Public Transport employees in Larnaca be compensated for any work exceeding seven hours and 36 minutes per day, with a hard limit of nine hours of work and one hour of break per day.
  • The drivers rejected the proposal, citing a stipulation in their collective labour agreement that they work no more than 38 hours per week, 7 hours and 36 minutes per day.
  • The union Segdamelin-Peo's secretary-general Natia Kyritsi called on the labour ministry to address the "blatant violations" of the collective labour agreement and to call on the transport ministry to "reflect on the company's position".
  • Cyprus Public Transport expressed fury at the strike, describing it as an "unfounded action" which "impacts thousands of people daily, causing mobility challenges".
  • The company defended itself, stating that it is "immensely proud of the transformation its drivers have experienced over the past five years" and that drivers receive continuous training and have seen an average salary increase of "more than 35 per cent" since 2020.
  • The company's chief executive officer Julio Tironi expressed surprise at the claims from the unions, which led to the strike, and highlighted the extensive discussions that led to the collective agreement struck in October last year.

Statistics:

  • 38 hours per week is the maximum working hours per week for Cyprus Public Transport employees in Larnaca, as stipulated in their collective labour agreement.
  • 7 hours and 36 minutes per day is the maximum daily working hours for Cyprus Public Transport employees in Larnaca, as stipulated in their collective labour agreement.
  • Bus drivers in Larnaca have seen an average salary increase of "more than 35 per cent" since Cyprus Public Transport took over buses in 2020.
  • The annual gross salaries for bus drivers in Larnaca can reach up to Pound 30,000.
  • 40 per cent is the top bracket in the pay ranking of workers in Cyprus, according to Cyprus Public Transport.

Sources:

  • "Bus drivers reject proposed terms, strike to continue" by Cyprus Mail, Tuesday, [no date provided]
  • "Strike at Cyprus Public Transport 'unfounded', company says" by Cyprus Mail, Friday, [no date provided]
  • Statement by Cyprus Public Transport, [no date provided]
  • Statement by Segdamelin-Peo, [no date provided]