Three hour general strike announced in Cyprus for tomorrow, beginning at noon and ending at three PM. Not likely to affect us, and indeed entirely possible we would have been completely unaware of it if we didn’t read the news, though buses and the post office will cease functioning. Affects schools, airlines, courts and the public service. The issue is the COLA (cost of living adjustment). COLA was suspended during the financial crisis in 2013 and only restored to 50% as of 2017. Unions are asking for full restoration. As well as public sector employees, about 30% of private sector employees are unionised and will be affected.
J has memories of city employees doing seasonal clean up at the beach in central Larnaca, where mountains of seaweed amass. He found it highly interesting. First several trucks arrive. The workmen gather to greet each other, each one individually with handshakes all round, followed by a sequence of hugs. Only after the social proprieties have been observed for about fifteen minutes does work begin. There’s a machine like a giant claw that grabs seaweed and fills the first truck - or more accurately half fills - it. First truck moves to the side and procedure repeated with three or four more. Finally, when all trucks are filled the convoy sets off for its destination, leaving the machine operator time to head out for a cup of coffee. In an hour or so the trucks are back for a repeat performance. Or possibly in half an hour two come back, the others not to be seen again. Overdue for their coffee breaks?
J, of course, totally in favour of protective unions. But non-unionised Cypriots, for some reason, frequently cynical.
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