A new prospect for ending the indefinite strike in the ready-mix concrete sector has emerged after nine days of industrial action, following continued intervention by Labour Minister Yiannis Panayiotou and an apparent shift in employers’ stance.
The Cyprus Ready-Mix Concrete Manufacturers Association agreed to accept the minister’s negotiation framework, previously endorsed by trade unions, after extensive discussions with Panayiotou yesterday where clarifications were sought.
Late yesterday, the Association stated that “following today’s meeting with the Labour Minister, where clarifications were provided on the negotiation framework, there appears to be potential for discussing the Association’s positions on overtime compensation implementation”.
The Association announced an extraordinary general meeting of its members today “for briefing, discussion and collective decision-making on our next steps”.
However, any potential agreement would still require approval from workers’ strike assemblies.
The minister has called both parties for meetings today, aiming to end the industrial dispute which has significantly impacted the construction industry.
The mounting pressure on the construction sector, where work that can be done without ready-mix concrete and ready-mix clay is becoming exhausted, likely influenced the Association’s decision.
Federation of Building Contractors Associations (OSEOK) president Stelios Gavriel publicly acknowledged that the strike has delayed construction work, warning that recovery time would be double the strike’s duration.
Trade unions PEO, SEK and DEOK previously criticised the minister’s equidistant stance after employers rejected his framework. Union leaders reiterated their readiness to continue strike action as long as necessary.
PEO construction workers’ union general secretary Michalis Papanikolaou told CNA yesterday that “someone must finally tell the truth about employer responsibility rather than blaming workers”, adding that “employers are violating agreements, hence this issue exists”, referring to the dispute’s core issue of overtime compensation.
SEK construction workers’ union general secretary Stelios Tsiapoutis stated to CNA that “the strike will continue until workers’ justified struggle is vindicated”.
OSEOK has requested a meeting with construction workers’ unions today to discuss possible measures addressing the strike’s negative impact, though unions dispute whether the crisis qualifies as an external factor entirely beyond the industry’s control, noting that OSEOK and the Association belong to the same federation.
However, given yesterday’s developments, the meeting might be postponed as union leaders are expected to attend Labour Ministry discussions.
