**Unions Await Government Response as Nationwide Strike Looms on September 17**
In a significant development for hourly paid civil servants in Cyprus, three major trade unions have confirmed their intention to proceed with a nationwide strike on September 17 unless the government presents a revised pay proposal before that date. The unions involved—Oekdy-SEK, Deok, and Pasyek-PEO—collectively represent approximately 7,500 hourly paid government employees.
The announcement comes after a period of stagnation in negotiations, with no new developments since the unions officially declared their strike decision on August 5. George Constantinou, a representative of Oekdy-SEK, emphasized that the unions are not eager to disrupt public services or cause hardship for citizens. “Our goal is to reach an agreement that improves wages, which are very low,” he stated. He highlighted the pressing need for a dialogue with the government to secure general wage increases for hourly paid staff, who he described as some of the lowest earners in the country compared to their counterparts in the private sector.
The unions are particularly concerned about the financial pressures faced by their members, especially in light of rising living costs. Constantinou expressed hope that “reason and a humane approach” would guide the government's response to their demands. The unions are calling for a meaningful negotiation process that would lead to an acceptable pay proposal.
Stavros Andreou from Pasyek-PEO indicated that the unions are awaiting the convening of six ministerial committees, as stipulated under joint labour committee regulations for resolving disputes. He noted that if the government fails to present an acceptable offer, the planned strike would proceed as scheduled. This action would involve hourly staff from various sectors, including public schools, government departments, and public hospitals. Andreou characterized the strike as a “last resort” and warned that the unions may escalate their measures if the government does not respond appropriately.
Andreas Antoniou, representing Deok, added that union executives had reviewed and ultimately rejected a proposal from the ministry during their August 5 meeting. He pointed out that the only general pay increase in the last fifteen years had, in some instances, fallen short of the minimum €28 increase granted to other state employees. Antoniou reiterated the unions' demand for a proposal that adequately reflects the financial pressures arising from the current cost of living.
As the September 17 date approaches, the unions remain firm in their stance, hoping for a constructive response from the government. The situation underscores the ongoing challenges faced by public sector workers in Cyprus as they seek to secure fair compensation in an increasingly difficult economic environment.