Vassilikos workers to return to work on mediation proposal, Cyprus

Employees at Vassilikos Cement Company will return to work today, following a meeting held yesterday at the labour ministry, according to Cyprus Mail reports.

During the meeting, Labour Minister, Sotiroulla Charalambous put forward a mediation proposal concerning the renewal of their collective agreement.

Vassilikos cement employees went on an indefinite strike on 1 March 2012 over their collective agreement, on grounds that it was not being observed. This resulted in construction work at a number of projects being halted due to shortages of cement supplies.  Vassilikos Cement dominates the domestic cement industry having taken over the cement activities in of Cyprus Cement in 2007.

“The labour ministry has submitted the outline of [a number of] proposals with a view to renewing the branch’s collective agreement,” said Charalambous.

After dialogue with both sides the company said that it respected the labour relations code and the collective agreement, she added.

According to Charalambous, over the next few days she will submit her final recommendations. “The employees’ representatives will submit the proposals at a general meeting of its employees today and as I have said over the next few days I will submit my final suggestions on the renewal of [their] collective agreement,” said Charalambous.