NICOSIA - Talks between employers and unions on the thorny issue of Cola and the collective agreements have broken down.
The employers’ organisation OEV, who are describing the situation as the worst crisis since 1974, say that they are calling for a temporary pancyprian deal to replace individual collecting agreements but that the unions, Sek and Peo, are rejecting the idea.
The bosses want to keep labour costs for 2012-13 at the same levels as 2011, which effectively means no cost of living payments and no increases in pay.
In those sectors that are facing problems, they say, they want cooperation from unions in cutting costs. A 24-hour strike will go ahead next week at the Coca Cola plant in Nicosia. Labour and Social Security Minister Sotiroulla Charalambous made a plea for all sides to come to an agreement and added that she would be taking an initiative in the next several days.