Thirteen major trade unions are staging a three-hour general strike on Thursday from 11:00 to 14:00, demanding full restoration of the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) and subsequently issued a joint resolution condemning employers and government inaction.
The industrial action affected airports, schools, hospitals and transport services across the island, with unions aiming to send a message against any attempts to modify or abolish the automatic salary adjustment mechanism.
Strike affects over 15,000 passengers at Cyprus airports
Hermes Airports announced that over 50 arrivals and departures at Larnaca and Paphos airports were affected, impacting more than 15,000 passengers.
Cancelled flights included Jazeera Airways services to Kuwait (JZR345/JZR346), Qatar Airways flights to Doha (QTR265/QTR266), and Emirates service from Dubai to Larnaca continuing to Malta (UAE109).
Schools closed early at 11:00 with parents responsible for collecting children, whilst hospitals operated with reduced services and security staff only during strike hours.
Unions issue resolution condemning employers’ inflexible stance
Following the strike, participating unions – SEK, PEO, DEOK, PASYDY, POED, OELMEK, OLTEK, POASO, PASYGI, PASYNΟ, ESK, SAK, and SYPYK – issued a resolution condemning the “inflexible stance of the employer side” in social dialogue.
“The employer side is called upon even now to respect its signature and approach the dialogue constructively to find a solution,” the resolution stated.
The unions stressed that COLA is a mechanism that “maintains the purchasing power of wages,” supports workers’ living standards, and contributes to the stability of the real economy.
Government criticised for failing to present mediation proposal
The resolution expressed disappointment with the government’s failure to capitalise on trade unions’ conciliatory spirit during dialogue under the Labour Minister’s auspices.
“The trade union movement cannot accept the unacceptable stance of the government and its communication fireworks, avoiding taking a clear position and presenting a concrete proposal for full COLA restoration,” the document stated.
The unions criticised last-minute meetings without substantive targeting as an insult to the working world and degradation of social dialogue principles.
The Public Administration and Personnel Department warned that civil servants participating in strikes during normal working hours would face proportional salary deductions.
The message “COLA FOR ALL BASED ON ITS PHILOSOPHY” was presented as an urgent need rather than an empty slogan, with unions demanding quality and dignity in work alongside respect for collective agreements.
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