Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 99-06-23

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus Airways - Pilots - 48-hour strike

[02] Cyprus Airways - Commerce Minister - Company Spokesman

0900:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Cyprus Airways - Pilots - 48-hour strike

Pancyprian Airline Pilots Union (PALPU), who ended at midnight last night a 24-hour strike, grounding the airline's fleet and disrupting the travel plans of 3.000 people, announced last night that they decided to escalate their strike action with a 48 hour work stoppage.

In a statement they said as a sign of good will they are giving a 24 - our "rest to allow the interested parties to take substantial action to solve the problem once and for all."

Alternative arrangements were made yesterday to enable the 3.000 passengers who were on Cyprus Airways scheduled flights to reach their destination.

PALPU says the strike has been inevitable as the company has reneged on an agreement on the way captain vacancies in Eurocypria, the charter subsidiary of Cyprus Airways, should be filled.

The company says collective agreements signed with unions clearly state that Eurocypria pilots have priority while a Cyprus Airways spokesman described their action as "illegal".

The government has called on the pilots to suspend their strike action as it would be disastrous for the company, its employees and the island's economy.

CNA EC/MCH/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1200:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus Airways - Commerce Minister - Company Spokesman

Commerce, Industry and Tourism Minister, Nicos Rolandis said the decision of the Pancyprian Airline Pilots Union (PALPU) to go ahead with a 48-hour work stoppage as from midnight tonight was "unacceptable and sad" and warned the government will press on with air liberalisation.

Speaking to CNA, Rolandis said Cypriot people "have subsidised this company during all these years and pay overpriced tickets for destinations such as Athens and London to maintain the company which should serve tourism".

He also criticised "Cyprus Airways pilots, who are the highest paid people in Cyprus" of abandoning their planes during peak tourism season.

Rolandis said his ministry will examine immediate measures and stressed that "we must move sooner towards air liberalisation."

The Council of Ministers is expected to raise the issue at its weekly meeting tomorrow.

Cyprus Airways spokesman, Tasos Angeli described the escalating strike action as an "ultimatum and provocation".

Speaking to CNA he also noted that Labour and Social Insurance Minister had said the strike "is illegal, irrational and constitutes a blackmail."

The pilots have declared "war against Cyprus Airways, the economy and the livelihood of 2.000 Cyprus Airways employees," Angeli said.

He added that if the pilots want to change the collective agreement which they themselves negotiated and signed, "they should follow the prescribed methods."

"There will be no dialogue under the threat of strike," Angeli said, noting, however, the company favours dialogue for a mutually acceptable settlement without victimising any section of the staff.

Pancyprian Airline Pilots Union ended at midnight last night a 24-hour strike, grounding the airline's fleet and disrupting the travel plans of 3.000 people.

PALPU says the strike has been inevitable as the company has reneged on an agreement on the way captain vacancies in Eurocypria, the charter subsidiary of Cyprus Airways, should be filled.

The company says collective agreements signed with unions clearly state that Eurocypria pilots have priority.

CNA EC/MCH/1999

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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