Bus operators in Larnaca initiate a 48-hour work stoppage
In a significant development, the 48-hour strike by Larnaca bus workers, which began at 5:30 this morning, has come to an end following a ministry-mediated agreement. The strike, which involved 120 employees of Larnaca Public Transport (LPT), was primarily due to disputes over breaks, overtime pay, and the use of timetable ("route") cards under the collective agreement.
The workers contested the company's refusal to recognise and pay for a one-hour break, along with unpaid overtime starting from the first minute beyond 7 hours and 36 minutes of work. They also challenged the exclusion of certain breaks from official route cards, which affected pay.
The strike halted all bus services in Larnaca, significantly impacting daily public transport for commuters and the general public dependent on these services.
The resolution came after a marathon meeting between Labour Minister Yiannis Panayiotou and union leaders from PEO, SEK, and DEOK. The agreement secured the contested one-hour break and guaranteed overtime payment from the first minute beyond the agreed hours. It also mandated that all breaks be recorded on timetable cards and compensated. Furthermore, any objections regarding route card functionality would be reviewed by relevant ministries before implementation. The timeline for joint monthly reviews of breaks and routes was moved forward to the final ten days of each month to allow better ongoing management.
Following a general assembly vote, the drivers accepted the ministry's mediation proposal and ended the strike on August 8, 2025. The ministry continues to monitor compliance with the agreement and the full collective contract.
From the employer perspective, Larnaca Public Transport (LPT) and the Cyprus Employers & Industrialists Federation (OEB) characterized the strike as unjustified and emphasized their adherence to the collective agreement. They criticized the strike for unnecessarily penalizing the public and called on the ministry to enforce industrial relations rules firmly, pointing out that unions had not provided evidence of agreement breaches prior to striking as required by law.
This strike resolution highlights the role of government mediation in reconciling workers’ rights with employer operation of public transport services. The unions have vowed to defend the Collective Agreements and the agreed terms by all legal means if the agreements are not upheld in the future.
- The ministry-mediated agreement, reached after a marathon meeting with union leaders, secured a one-hour break for Larnaca Public Transport (LPT) workers, ensuring payment for overtime from the first minute beyond the agreed hours.
- All breaks will now be recorded on timetable cards and compensated, as mandated by the agreement struck between the workers and the government, moving forward to monthly reviews on the final ten days of each month.
- The resolution of the 48-hour strike by Larnaca bus workers will positively impact the EU industry of transportation and finance, as it upholds the rights of workers while providing reliable public-transit services in Larnaca.
- Despite the employer's assertion that the strike was unjustified, the Cyprus Employers & Industrialists Federation (OEB) will continue to monitor compliance with the full Collective Contract, as the government continues to mediate in disputes and support workers' rights in business operations.
