We have heard complaints from workers in private kindergartens, that their employers are indirectly and directly pressuring them to participate in the protest on Tuesday 27/8, with threats to cut their daily wages or a rest leave, as well as how they are misleading them regarding the content of the government decision against which the protest is directed.
We inform our fellow workers in private kindergartens:
As stated in the announcement of the newly established Private Sector’s Kindergartens Branch of the Isotita union (see link) “given that the schools will remain closed following the decision of their owners, no cut in salary is legal”.
In addition, the protest not only does not concern the workers in the kindergartens, but is clearly and blatantly directed AGAINST their INTERESTS. We are under no illusions about the government’s motivations for extending pre-primary education to the fourth year of age, but we cannot overlook how this will lead (and it is stated in the decision) to the creation of new jobs for an industry plagued by unemployment. If private kindergartens wish not to lose staff, let them make sure to upgrade their terms of employment to levels higher than what the government will offer (which unfortunately nowadays is not as high as one can imagine based on earlier times…)
What the owners of kindergartens who will withhold salaries/leaves from their employees are actually doing is called a lockout, the refusal of employment by the employer to put pressure on its employees during a labor dispute (i.e. the reverse of a strike). It is a heinous anti-labor measure, which is illegal in most countries (Cyprus, surprise surprise, is not one of them, but, as with the strike, it is illegal to use it outside the context of a labor dispute).
We call on all workers in private kindergartens to realize their interest (which is NEVER common with their employers), to be informed about their rights (the few we have), and to take advantage of the PAID NON-WORKING DAY on Tuesday to rest, to spend quality time with themselves and their loved ones, and, why not, to meet and strengthen relationships of solidarity and unity with the rest of their colleagues.
Knowledge and workers’ unity is power.
Solidarity Forever
