Education support staff end ten-day strike, warn action may resume
Unions called off the walkout after an emergency meeting but say their demands stand, and further strikes remain possible if talks stall.
Staff in the education ministry's support programmes returned to their posts after unions decided to lift a ten-day walkout at an extraordinary meeting on Wednesday, as reported by Cyprus Mail. In a joint statement, Oekdy-SEK and Pasey-PEO stressed that halting the strike should not be read as abandoning their claims.
The workers want assured earnings over the summer months, with arrears for summer 2026 included, so that employees on indefinite contracts keep their pay and benefits. They are also pressing for hiring procedures to be finished quickly to fill empty posts and to tackle joblessness among staff with long service.
The unions are awaiting a meeting with President Nikos Christodoulides and have asked the education, labour and finance ministries to sit down together for a settlement. They warned that if the talks bring no results, they will review their stance and may take action again.
"This does not signify a retreat from their demands," the two unions said in their joint statement.
What it means for residents
Families and adult learners who use ministry support programmes should see normal service again, but the dispute is only paused. The open questions — summer pay and stalled recruitment — affect how reliably these services are staffed in the months ahead.
- Expect possible disruption later. A fresh strike cannot be ruled out if negotiations with the government stall.
- Watch for hiring news. Faster recruitment could ease staff shortages that many programmes have faced.
- Keep agreements in writing. If you depend on a support scheme, confirm schedules with the provider rather than assuming continuity.
This text is written from the source article and is not a translation of it.
