Public hospital unions to meet with health services organization to avert strike

The State Health Services Organization (OKYPY) in Cyprus has invited six labor unions to a meeting on Wednesday, November 4, at 10:00 a.m. in a renewed effort to resolve a long-standing impasse regarding the renewal of their collective bargaining agreement. This development follows the unions' decision to hold a 48-hour strike on November 10 and 11, which currently remains scheduled despite the new round of talks.

The primary disagreement centers on salary structures within the collective agreement, specifically the management's push to link portion of pay raises to staff performance evaluations. Unions remain opposed to these conditions, which triggered the initial strike announcement. In response to the invitation, the unions have rescheduled a planned press conference to 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday to update the public on their negotiation status.

While the upcoming meeting is seen as a critical opportunity to bridge the gap, the strike mandate remains in effect. Both parties aim to reach a last-minute compromise to prevent service disruptions at public hospitals, but as of now, there is no indication that the protest action will be suspended before the outcome of the Wednesday discussions is finalized.