The Air Traffic Controllers Union has declared a strike at Ercan Airport on December 9, set to take place between 8:30 AM and 7:00 PM.
In a statement, the union criticized the government for prioritizing financial benefits for the Ercan Airport operator over aviation safety and standards. “While granting material and moral privileges to the airport operator, the government disregards aviation safety and standards. Meanwhile, they enrich companies like T&T and other major capital groups through lavish spending or forgiven debts, all while targeting workers’ livelihoods with unjust laws and exploitative practices,” the statement read.
The union emphasized its repeated warnings to the government and reiterated the critical need to adhere to aviation service standards. “Minimum standards for aviation services are clearly outlined in official documents and must be strictly followed. Aviation services must be uninterrupted and redundant to ensure safety. Any breach of these basic principles poses a serious risk to aviation safety,” the statement added.
The union outlined its key demands, stating the strike would continue until the following conditions are met:
1. Implementation of the minimum standards required for aviation services, alongside the accountability of those responsible for maintaining them.
2. Withdrawal of a controversial bill that would reduce workers’ purchasing power by altering the cost-of-living adjustment.
3. Reform of the tax system to alleviate the burden on low-income workers by updating tax exemptions and brackets in line with inflation.
( Source : Voice Cyprus News)
