Okypy urges unions to cancel planned 48-hour strike on November 10 and 11

Nicosia, Cyprus. The state health services organisation (Okypy) has appealed to trade unions to abandon a 48-hour strike scheduled for November 10 and 11, arguing that there is still ample room for negotiations. Spokesman Charalambos Charilaou said Okypy was prepared to explain its positions to every party concerned.

Organisation’s stance

Charilaou stated that “The organisation’s concern is its people, its staff and its well-being.” He said the consultations had already yielded significant progress on matters affecting working conditions, such as teleworking, rest leave and service plans.

Related: Okypy and six unions continue talks to avert 48-hour strike planned for November 10 and 11

RelatedOkypy and six unions continue talks to avert 48-hour strike planned for November 10 and 11

Outstanding issues

According to Charilaou, work is continuing on unresolved items from the previous collective agreement. These include the introduction of salary grades and the creation of organisational structures for every staff category.

Regarding administrative staff, he said the relevant posts have been written into next year’s budget. Talks with doctors are at a very advanced stage, he added, while an internal study will document the needs of the other sectors.

Annual pay increase

On the yearly salary rise, Charilaou said the cabinet has made a decision, and a bill amending the relevant legislation is due to be submitted to parliament in November.

Main point of disagreement

The central dispute concerns a proposal to tie part of the salary increases to a performance evaluation system. Charilaou said that such a system would acknowledge the contribution of each employee more fairly, and that patients would benefit as a result.