The attempt by the Cyta organization to implement changes, particularly concerning the future of its new personnel and proposed salary increases, has encountered strong resistance from unions.
The proposed changes and pay hikes seem to fall short of satisfying the trade union movement.
As a result, the unions EPOT (OHO-SEK), ASET-Cyta, PASE-ATHEK, SIDIKEK-PEO-Cyta, SEP-ATHEK, and their members staged a two-hour work stoppage yesterday from 8 to 10 in the morning.
They have also decided to escalate their actions in an effort to exert pressure for the satisfaction of their demands.
Additionally, they emphasize the need to preserve the public character of Cyta, even though this matter has been considered closed for some time, and the previous government made it clear that the organization’s status would not change.
In the midst of intense competition in the market where Cyta operates, the organization appears to be seeking further flexibility through a proposal for institutional innovation and the evolution of its personnel.
However, this move has sparked reactions from the trade unions. The Cyta leadership has not made any statements following yesterday’s mobilizations.
The unions seem determined to continue applying pressure to the organization.
They announced yesterday that they would call their members to an indefinite abstention from overtime work, while concurrently declaring a 24-hour warning strike for January 16, 2024.
In a joint statement, the unions state that, as a trade union movement, they have preserved labor peace as their own child throughout the years.
However, they express disappointment that the organization’s side has failed to contribute to this effort, citing “actions, omissions, and maximalist demands.”
“We expect the Management and the Board of the Organization,” the statement reads, “to consider their responsibilities regarding the destabilization of labor peace and to finally take seriously into account the positions of the trade union movement in the significant chapter of Institutional Innovation and the evolution of personnel. We hope that second thoughts will be given and it will be understood that the final proposals given to us cannot be accepted as they are. From our side, as a continuation of today’s work stoppage, we are forced to escalate our reaction measures,” the announcement concludes.
According to the unions, “the organization’s final proposal cannot be accepted because, above all, it jeopardizes its public character.”
They express disappointment with the message regarding institutional innovation, claiming that it “is full of inaccuracies.”
According to the unions, the organization’s proposal for institutional innovation seeks the transformation of several departments into service markets, proposes an increase in the percentage of private law employees, and suggests reduced scales for new public law hires—elements with which the unions disagree.
The unions also express disagreement with the organization’s handling of and proposed salary upgrades for indefinite-time employees.
The unions are demanding an immediate 5.75% increase in each employee’s monthly salary, a 0.5% contribution on the salary to the Medical Care Fund, a 0.5% contribution on the salary to the Welfare Fund, total working hours equivalent to those of existing monthly staff, overtime benefits, leave entitlements, and sick leave with the same terms as the rest of the staff.
They also seek the possibility of career advancement through promotions.
