Staff at Larnaca and Paphos airports staged a two-hour work stoppage on Tuesday morning in protest over staffing shortages, the Pancyprian Public Servants’ Trade Union (PASYDY) said.
The stoppage, which began at 7:00 a.m. local time, did not disrupt airport operations, according to Hermes Airports, the management company for both airports.
PASYDY members are demanding the reversal of a 2018 decision by the Department of Civil Aviation to abolish double-staffing positions. The union argues that this has led to a severe shortage of personnel, impacting airport security and smooth operations.
“The abolition of these positions has resulted in a severe staff shortage in Airport Services, affecting the smooth operation and security of our airports,” the union said in a statement.
PASYDY accuses the Department of Civil Aviation and the Ministry of Transport of reneging on previous agreements to reinstate the double-staffing positions. The union expressed frustration over a recent letter from the Department of Public Administration and Personnel outlining a different agreement with Civil Aviation.
“We question how such a decision could be made in the absence of the staff and the official PASYDY representation,” the union said.
PASYDY is calling for the “immediate and decisive intervention” of the government to resolve the issue and implement the previously agreed-upon de-doubling of positions.
The union warned of further action if the matter is not addressed satisfactorily.
