Administrative staff at the Cyprus University of Technology (Tepak), together with trade unions Peo and Sek, will stage a one-hour work stoppage at midday on Monday, June 23, in protest over the university’s proposed 2026 budget.

The unions object to the administration’s decision not to include new administrative hires or staff promotions in next year’s budget, calling the move unjustified.

The university’s council had earlier claimed that the exclusion of new positions was due to the pending approval of updated organisational charts by the relevant committee.

“This justification does not correspond to reality, as it concerns existing and pressing administrative needs of the university, which are unrelated to the new organisational charts under discussion,” the unions said in a statement.

They added that despite repeated calls for dialogue within the institution, they had not been informed of the final draft of the proposed organisational structure, and called for its immediate withdrawal.

“An attempt is being made to link the immediate staffing needs of administrative services with the process of approving new organisational charts,” the unions said, describing the move as “abusive manipulation.”

They warned that the decision undermined the “well-intentioned interests of the university” and would place further pressure on administrative operations. The unions called for “direct, honest and equal dialogue” to finalise and approve the new organisational structure.

If an “immediate and meaningful dialogue” is not initiated, union members will proceed with the planned one-hour strike.

A similar strike over budget concerns took place in February 2024, while earlier this year, staff went on a work stoppage over unpaid travel expenses.