Nicosia, Cyprus. Workers at Ektam, the north’s producer of Pepsi and other soft drinks, have gone on a 24-hour strike, claiming the company has deprived them of the right to unionise.
Union allegations and company response
The workers first gathered outside the company’s headquarters on Friday night, with a spokesperson for trade union Dev-Is telling the Cyprus Mail that the company has been “ignoring the laws” relating to organised labour in the north.
The spokesperson said the workers wished to unionise and joined a union affiliated with Dev-Is, after which union representatives called a meeting with the company’s management.
According to the spokesperson, the company’s management then “threatened everyone and attempted to force them to sign resignation letters”. The workers refused, the spokesperson said, and management has since threatened to close down the factory and lay off all workers.
Company products
Ektam is the north’s supplier of 7Up and local soft drinks including Pergama flavoured water and Yedigun soda, as well as Pepsi.
What steps do you think should be taken to address disputes over workers’ rights to unionise?