Following a notice from the Nicosia Bus Company to trade unions that it can not honour the collective agreement signed, which includes wage increases and other benefits for its employees, which was supposed to come into effect on the 1 February 2002, around 120 bus drivers of the unions SEK and PEO have reacted by staging a 24-hour warning strike today, estimated to effect around 10,000 people who use public transport.

The Bus Company have clearly blamed the government for the situation, as apparently subsidies for 2000 and 2001 of over CYP 600.000 have not yet been paid by the state. Subsidies are given to the bus company following a restriction imposed on the increase of fares in 1997.

The strikers will meet with their union representatives today at midday in Nicosia in order to decide on any further measures.