Port unions threaten to strike

UNIONS have warned port authorities that they will take industrial action unless staff concerns are addressed soon.

The warning came after a pancyprian general meeting of port workers in Limassol on Friday. Among workers’ concerns are the signing of a new collective agreement and the possible transfer of the authority’s headquarters from Nicosia to Limassol.

The poor performance of Limassol port has prompted the authority to consider ways of improving its fortunes, and as part of the greater plan for relocation, bosses have suggested that administrative staff be transferred from landlocked Nicosia to Limassol. They have also complained of a surplus of personnel.

At Friday’s meeting, port workers also called on unions to take a tougher stance against the threat of privatisation, which they fear would cost jobs.

No deadline was given for any strike action.

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