Cyprus Mail: News Articles in English, 02-06-23

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From: The Cyprus Mail at <http://www.cyprus-mail.com/>

Sunday, June 23, 2002

CONTENTS

[01] CyTA unions to stage strike over wages

[02] Police on alert for 'boat people'

[03] Larnaca flooded for holiday weekend

[04] Police probe suspected arson cases

[01] CyTA unions to stage strike over wages

TELECOMMUNICATIONS, apart from at hospitals and airport emergency services, could be paralysed for two hours on Thursday and for 24 hours tomorrow week, July 1, as CyTA employees stage two separate strikes organised by the PEO and SEK trade unions.

The industrial action comes after what the unions call a breakdown in negotiations for employees' wages, benefits and promotions.

The left-wing PEO union accused the government yesterday of adding provisions to a written collective agreement that were not mentioned in a previous verbal agreement made between the two parties last week.

PEO claimed the CyTA management had gone back on basic proposals of the agreement, including the "framework regarding a minimum wage rise".

It also accused CyTA of violating the Industrial Code on matters of mutual agreement, and adopting a dictatorial stance on employee benefits.

The union charged CyTA with violating current personnel regulations that all unions have to be represented on the Promotions Board.

"We have noticed a systematic attempt to lead negotiations to a dead-end, and therefore we have no choice but to take decisive action," yesterday's union statement said.

The PEO strike will take place from 10am-12 noon on Thursday, June 27.

A representative of the right-wing SEK union, Orestis Vassiliou, told the Sunday Mail that more than 70 per cent of CyTA employees are SEK members, and they will go on strike on July 1.

"We had various meetings last week that led us to believe we were coming to a reasonable solution," he said. "When the written document was presented to us we found certain provisions that were unacceptable. They were not discussed by the Council of Ministers and not brought up in the negotiations."

"We won't push the 'off' button, but apart from vital services - staff working with the civil aviation and hospitals - every other department (in CyTA) will be affected," Vassiliou added.

"Our strike will last for 24 hours. If by that time we haven't come to agreement we will decide whether to take stronger measures."

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2002

[02] Police on alert for 'boat people'

Eliades said the information had been received on Thursday and that his units have been on alert since.

He added that the police were taking all necessary measures to prevent the arrival of illegal immigrants on the island.

Two patrol boats were in the Ayia Napa area to prevent the boat from entering national waters, Eliades said.

He did not rule out the possibility of the immigrants reaching the occupied areas and then trying to enter the government-controlled areas.

"This possibility has not been ruled out, and those who need to be informed will be notified through Interpol," Eliades said.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2002

[03] Larnaca flooded for holiday weekend

Across Cyprus, Pentecost marks the beginning of feasting and the celebration of Noah's Ark and its deliverance from the flood. The festival has also been linked to celebrations in ancient times for the birth of the Greek goddess Aphrodite.

Thousands of people are expected to attend festivities in Larnaca where the local council has erected three stages for traditional music programmes. Yesterday's celebrations included a flute and traditional love poem contest.

The police say they will be out in force in an attempt to prevent road accidents on a holiday weekend when the number of people leaving the capital for the beach is expected to be phenomenal.

Police warned yesterday they would pay particular attention to speed limit violations, drunk driving and motorcyclists driving without helmets.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2002

[04] Police probe suspected arson cases

Evidence found at the site of a fire which damaged a Paphos bar indicated that it could have been a criminal act, police said yesterday.

The fire broke out at around 7am at the 'No Name' bar in Kato Paphos. A passer-by was able to contain the blaze using a small fire extinguisher until the arrival of the fire department.

The fire was put out soon afterwards, and damage was estimated at around £500.

Forensic experts who examined the scene decided that it appeared to have been started deliberately.

Police also confirmed that a fire which badly damaged a car belonging to a 40-year-old insurance salesman in Lakatamia yesterday was the result of arson.

A police spokesman said the attack took place at around 4.45am yesterday morning on the Mercedes car, which was parked outside a house.

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2002

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