Employment practice unions

CUT fully recognises and supports the right of all employees- including women, men, non-permanent, and international staff- to freedom of association and collective bargaining, in accordance with national labour legislation and international labour standards. These rights are upheld through the operation of active trade unions representing both academic and administrative personnel, ensuring inclusive participation and equitable representation across all employment categories.

A Collective Agreement between the University and the recognised unions establishes a formal framework for collective bargaining, consultation, and protection of employment rights. The most recent Collective Agreement (2021–2023), which remains in effect while a new version is under negotiation, continues to guarantee employees’ right to collective representation and consultation with the University’s leadership. The Human Resources Department is actively negotiating the updated agreement to reflect evolving employment conditions and further strengthen continuous social dialogue.

According to Article 2 University and Union Relations of the Collective Agreement between the Cyprus University of Technology and the Administrative Staff Union (2021-2023), a Joint Staff Committee was established to monitor the implementation of the Collective Agreement and labour relations. The Committee meets at least six times per year and submits recommendations to the Personnel, Recruitment and Promotions & Regulations Committee (ΕΠΠΠΚΚ). Its composition includes representatives from the University Council, Rectorate, the Director of Administration and Finance, the Human Resources Office, and the Presidents of the unions, ensuring structured and inclusive consultation across all staff categories.

In 2024, the Joint Staff Committee convened seven times, addressing key employment-related matters such as the implementation of collective agreements, staff promotion and regrading requests, workplace health and safety, professional development opportunities, the renewal of fixed-term contracts, and initiatives to promote employee well- being and work- life balance. Through this mechanism, CUT actively involves trade union representatives in reviewing and developing human resources policies- including organisational structures, performance evaluation systems, and employment regulations- ensuring that union perspectives are systematically integrated into institutional decision- making and that transparency and fairness are maintained in all employment relations.

Furthermore, trade union representatives participate formally in Part A of the Personnel, Recruitment and Promotions & Regulations Committee (EΠΠΠΚΚ), which addresses employment matters and the development of policies relating to staff rights, recruitment, and promotions. This participation ensures that employees’ voices are directly represented in decisions affecting employment conditions and reinforces CUT’s commitment to open and constructive social dialogue.

Union membership is open to all employees, including non-permanent and temporary staff, as explicitly stated in the official statutes of CUT’s two largest unions, namely ΣΑΠΤΕΠΑΚ (Academic Staff Union) and ΣΥΤΕΠΑΚ (Administrative Staff Union). These statutes confirm that membership is open regardless of contract type, gender, or nationality, thereby ensuring inclusive representation and equal access to union rights. Women and international staff are actively represented within both unions and the Joint Staff Committee, reflecting CUT’s broader institutional commitment to equality and inclusion in employment relations.

Further evidence:

CUT’s recognition of unions and collective bargaining rights is fully aligned with the national labour relations framework of the Republic of Cyprus, which guarantees the right to organise and negotiate collectively under the Industrial Relations Code. These provisions safeguard the freedom of association and the right to union representation for all employees, including those in public law entities such as the University. This framework is further supported by Cyprus’s ratification of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention No. 87, which enshrines the right to organise and engage in collective bargaining as a fundamental human right.

Further evidence:

Through these institutional arrangements, CUT ensures equal and protected representation for all employees and promotes constructive social dialogue in full compliance with the national labour framework, guaranteeing fair participation and inclusivity in staff representation. In summary, the University upholds the fundamental rights of freedom of association and collective bargaining for all employees, maintaining a transparent, participatory, and equitable work environment.