Ministers and unions failed to reach an agreement during late-night talks at the Labour Ministry over the renewal of the collective agreement in the concrete industry.
Labour Minister Yiannis Panagiotou’s mediation proposal was not only rejected by workers but appears to have hardened their position. Workers are now reluctant to accept even their unions’ proposals, demanding higher overtime compensation.
Sources indicate employers are prepared to accept the minister’s mediation proposal pending certain clarifications.
Fresh talks are scheduled for today, with both unions and employers to be represented at the highest level.
The situation escalated after unions announced their rejection of the minister’s proposal yesterday.
Minister Panayiotou called an emergency afternoon meeting with both sides, attempting to bridge differences, but failed to achieve consensus.
The minister expressed concern about the developing situation.
Panayiotou later stated that whilst the Ready-Mix Concrete Manufacturers Association accepted the proposal with certain conditions, the SEK and PEO unions rejected it, reverting to their original demands.
He warned that the unions’ decision to continue strike action was not conducive to de-escalating the situation.
The key sticking point remains overtime compensation. Union proposals called for overtime rates of 1:1.40 on weekdays and 1:1.80 on weekends, whilst workers are now demanding no less than 1:1.50 and 1:2 respectively.
The concrete companies had counter-proposed 1:1.30 for weekdays and 1:1.50 for weekends, with the ministry suggesting a compromise of 1:1.37 and 1:1.62.
Sources indicate strikers are planning a demonstration and march in Limassol today if morning talks fail to produce an agreement.
