CY strike averted in last minute talks

STRIKE action by Cyprus Airways (CY) cabin crew in a row over promotions was narrowly avoided late on Wednesday.

Yesterday the two unions representing cabin crew met with airline management and officials at the Labour Ministry in an attempt to resolve the problem. The meeting is set to continue on Tuesday.

Costas Demetriou, the head of CY”s largest union CYNIKA, said yesterday the issue was a little complicated and also involved a difference of opinion between his union and SYPKA, the union that represents the majority of cabin crew.

Demetriou said the issue arose due to the conditions laid down in the airline’s controversial rescue package. He said that after a large number of senior cabin crew took redundancy, a number of vacancies appeared that would involve promotions.

Twenty-four people received promotions, but Demetriou said CYNIKA noticed that three people in line for a promotion had been ignored. The union complained to management at the start of the week.

“We saw that it was unfair and unjust, so in a meeting with the company we explained why three people with more seniority, experience and qualifications should not remain outside of the promotions procedure,” Demetriou said.

“The company accepted, so the problem arose as to whether three of the 24 already promoted should be pulled out and replaced, or whether to create three additional posts.”

Demetriou said the company decided to go for the extra posts, creating 27 senior cabin crew positions.

He said SYPKA then complained that the three extra posts were not provided for in the rescue package and that it made no sense as it would also reduce the number of regular cabin crew if there were more senior positions.

They threatened to take measures yesterday but ultimately agreed to a meeting.

“We had some consultations today but they are not finished so we decided to postpone and meet again on Tuesday to continue,” said Demetriou.

SYPKA spokesman Costas Constantinou told reporters yesterday his union had agreed to talk about the issues rather than disrupt the busy Easter weekend traffic.

“Each side is still insisting on its positions and the only thing that was decided today was that we would meet again on Tuesday,” he said.

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