The strike by Larnaca Public Transport bus drivers continues for the eleventh consecutive day, with a new proposal set for approval during a General Assembly meeting at SEK offices in Larnaca between 9:00am and 12:00pm today.
The proposal emerged following lengthy discussions yesterday afternoon at the Labour Ministry between Minister Yiannis Panayiotou and representatives from PEO, SEK and DEOK trade unions.
Key provisions in new proposal
According to Cyprus News Agency sources, the new proposal includes significant clarifications, primarily regarding route cards.
Any observations on cards will not be automatically implemented, whilst objections to their functionality will be examined by relevant ministries. Additionally, timetables for evaluating breaks and routes are postponed until the end of the month.
A significant provision guarantees the one-hour break previously disputed by the company, along with overtime payment from the first minute after 7 hours and 36 minutes of work.
Breaks will be explicitly stated on cards, which was not previously done, resulting in non-payment of related compensation.
Previous proposal rejected
Drivers had rejected an earlier Labour Ministry mediation proposal that included payment for every minute worked beyond 7 hours 36 minutes, a maximum daily work framework of 9 hours, break time up to 60 minutes, and mandatory notification of new work programmes to representatives within 48 working hours with defined break start and end times.
Under the agreement, new programmes must be sent by 3 September and fully reflect work and break schedules two working days after strike measures end.
Ongoing demands
State services will co-evaluate the break programme and propose improvements as provided by the institutional framework. For card 12, route 413, the scheduled break will take place at Kofinou station.
Drivers continue demanding full implementation of the 38-hour weekly work schedule as stipulated in their collective agreement.