Crippling truck drivers’ strike averted

THE COUNTRY has been saved from another crippling truck drivers’ strike after the Cabinet agreed to disgruntled drivers’ demands on Tuesday night.

The dispute was threatening to spill over into public life this week as it did last October when truckers blocked off ports and brought the economy to a standstill.
The Association of Heavy Duty Vehicles Drivers called off the strike after news that Cabinet agreed to meet their demands.

The issue focuses on changes necessary within the industry to be in line with EU regulations.

According to POVEK union official, Melios Georgiou, the government agreed to pay £4,000 per vehicle for the withdrawal of 1,000 trucks with ‘A’ category licences that failed to meet new EU requirements. The licence will be withdrawn and the owners compensated but they may still sell the trucks onwards if they wish.

The two sides also agreed that the new ‘A’ licences will cost £8,000, while transport charges for heavy duty vehicles will be decided on in cooperation with the Communications Ministry.

The government has reportedly agreed to subsidise the installation of limiters and tachographs with a £600 assistance package per vehicle.

The ministry and truckers association also agreed on new rules for issuing ‘B’ category licences and on their operations.

According to reports, there are around 4,500 trucks in the business at the moment, of which around 3,000 are considered old.

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