Bus drivers threaten strike action

A NEW blow to the tourism industry looms, with hundreds of bus drivers threatening strike action if the government does not meet demands relating to their profession.
The group were initially poised to go on a warning strike this Thursday, but yesterday decided to suspend any action until next week in the hopes that negotiations with the government pay off.

They want to retain the right to transfer licences to new buyers of buses, a situation which they claim was recently reversed by the Transport Department without warning. They also accuse authorities of planning to prevent them from making bids for contracts for the transportation of tourists.

The bus drivers further say that these decisions were made on a political level without any discussion or consultation whatsoever with their association.

Come Monday, and depending on the outcome of talks with the government, the drivers will decide whether or not to strike. If they do, that would leave thousands of foreign visitors stranded at the two airports, while those wishing to depart from their hotels would need to find other means of transportation.

Communications Minister Haris Thrasou said yesterday he was up to date with developments, and pledged that government officials would be in contact with the bus drivers to resolve the dispute.

Earlier this month an impromptu strike by staff at the Larnaca and Paphos airports wrought mayhem, delaying dozens of flights and inconveniencing thousands of passengers for several hours.

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