Cyprus forest firefighters cancel planned 48-hour strike

A planned 48-hour strike by forest firefighters in Cyprus was cancelled following an agreement regarding employment terms and the official Service Plan. Trade union OEKDY SEK confirmed that both sides reached a consensus, ensuring the implementation of the previously contested service terms. The strike was initially organized by several unions, including OEKDY SEK, PASYEK PEO, and DEE KDOKO DEOK, due to allegations that the Forestry Department had violated agreed-upon service protocols. These unions argued that non-compliance compromised fire safety, responder security, and compensation for heavy vehicle maintenance. While the Forestry Department initially failed to apply terms agreed upon in the Joint Labor Committee, a new commitment has been made to uphold the Service Plan. Furthermore, both parties have scheduled additional dialogue for October to address remaining unresolved issues. This agreement prevents potential operational disruptions during the critical summer wildfire season.