Okypy hourly staff to strike on July 23

State health services (Okypy) hourly staff will stage a 24-hour strike on July 23 to protest unmet demands and perceived mistreatment. The strike will begin at 6.30am on July 23 and end at 6.30am the next day.

Their unions, Sek and Peo, said that efforts to initiate a dialogue have failed, and their patience is running thin.

“We used all the means we had at our disposal for a dialogue, we sent many letters requesting meetings, we informed the ministers of health and labour, the Okypy board and the House health committee, to no avail,” they added.

The unions blame Okypy for the situation, saying that during a meeting on July 4, it was agreed that immediate steps would be taken to address the issues.

They sent a letter to Okypy on July 8 outlining their positions and requesting a meeting to sign a binding agreement. “Unfortunately, the Okypy leadership didn’t even bother to reply,” the unions said.

The unions noted that ample warning had been given for the strike to allow for solutions to be found in the meantime. They are demanding the implementation of agreements, the filling of vacant posts without delay, and the hiring of seasonal staff to cover additional needs.