Unions claim hotel clash left two in hospital

A CLASH between strikers and security guards in the Lordos Hotel dispute left pickets in hospital, unions claimed yesterday.

An announcement from the unions representing some 160 striking workers at the Lordos Beach and Golden Bay hotels, said at least two or their members had been injured by members of hotel security.

According to the unions, scuffles broke out when security guards, whom they described as “mercenaries”, allegedly tried to prevent strikers from going on to a public beach.

The strikers have recently taken their campaign to the beach, in an attempt to cause problems for management by annoying hotel residents and other tourists.

“Under the law of the land the beach is public,” yesterday’s union statement said.

It said the Lordos-hired ‘mercenaries’ had “attacked the peaceful strikers mercilessly” and that “many” were taken to hospital needing treatment.

“This action proves once again the efforts of management to misinform public opinion by blaming the strikers,” the statement said.

A spokesman for the Lordos Group said he did not wish to comment on the union claims, although he confirmed there had been a problem yesterday.

Police at Oroklini said there had been an incident between strikers and security guards near the beach but that it had not been serious.

Staff at the two hotels have been out on strike since the end of January demanding the reinstatement of 73 colleagues dismissed when sections of the two hotels were turned over to outside contractors.

The situation has turned increasingly nasty, with practically daily reports of incidents between workers and management, which insists the strike is illegal.

The company has also accused the strikers of assault, creating disturbances, public insults and disturbing the peace.

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