Okypy, unions make headway over collective agreements (updated)

Unions on Tuesday inched closer to an agreement with the state health services (Okypy) on creating collective agreements for staffers hired since 2019 on individual contracts.

Nonetheless, it is not a done deal as there are still some points which have yet to be thrashed out, and a technical committee will be set up in an attempt to resolve them.

Okypy said the deal was the result of a “fruitful and constructive meeting” with unions Pasydi, Pasyki, Pasyno, Sek, Peo and Deok.

The parties agreed to include the cost of living allowance in the agreement – that reflects that of the broader public sector.

Topics on how salary increases will be set in stone as well as the career ladder available to employees are matters which the committee will be tasked to resolve.

The committee will be comprised of members from Okypy and all unions. It is set to have its first session next week.

The debate concerns employees hired after 2019 on individual contracts, who unions are attempting to cover with collective agreements for. Last week, unions described the latest Okypy proposal as “akin to reheated food.”

Echoing last week’s threats of “dynamic measures”, general secretary for Oekdi Sek Giorgos Constantinou told CNA that Tuesday’s session was better than the last and hoped it would stay that way so there wouldn’t be any consequences which would impact the public – alluding to strikes.

“We hope we can soon have the first collective agreement for staff that was hired with individual contracts. I hope things will progress positively without any consequences, so we don’t disrupt people, because it is a hassle when we need to take measures.”