WORKERS at state broadcaster CyBC yesterday decided to hold two “symbolic” 10-minute work stoppages every day until they are paid their March salaries.
The decision was announced by unions OIO-SEK and SIDIKEK-PEO following a meeting with the labour ministry’s labour relations’ department, where they were told they had the legal right to “take any measures they deem necessary” to seek payment of their salaries as there was a “blatant violation” of their employment contracts.
Their unpaid wages are the result of opposition parties DIKO’s and DISY’s refusal to approve the CyBC budget on the grounds that the broadcaster was acting as a government mouthpiece; something its board has denied. The budget is going to be put to the vote again on Thursday at the House Plenum, after failing to be approved last week.
The workers said they would continue with daily 10-minute strikes, at 1 pm and 8 pm – when its radio and television main news programmes are on – until they are paid.
In an announcement yesterday, the unions said workers had every legal right to take any measures they feel will serve their cause, which they said was none other than being paid their salaries and ensuring the CyBC’s smooth operation.
The CyBC board yesterday launched consultations with the parties with DIKO leader Marios Garoyian, who promised his party would “reassess its stance” on the matter, in a bid to find the perfect formula that will leave all sides satisfied.
A meeting planned with Interior Minister Eleni Mavrou was postponed.
OIO-SEK general secretary Andreas Elia yesterday called on the House president to intervene and ensure workers are paid their dues.
“The labour relations department spotted a blatant violation of essential employment terms and conditions, therefore the employees are legally allowed to take any measures they deem necessary to serve their best interests,” said Elia.
“Maybe the state, through its House president, can call on the executive authority to commit to eventually approving the funds for the salaries at least, by instructing the cabinet to ensure the salaries are paid,” he said.
SIDIKEK-PEO’s Antonis Neophytou added, “We feel there is a need for extraordinary regulations from the House, so workers can be paid, because we don’t know what the result of Thursday’s vote will be.”
He said if things continued as they were, workers would have no choice but to take stronger measures; “which no one wants, because the workers want to protect the role and mission of the state broadcaster”.
