The Stabilization of the Trade Unions

The Stabilization of the Trade Unions

The years between 1930 and 1940 were instrumental in organising the working class of Cyprus. This period saw a number of hard struggles being waged, resulting in the working class winning the fundamental and basic right to organise and present its demands. In 1931, the first Trade Union was formed – the Nicosia Shoemakers’ Union – which was officially recognized in 1932 after the adoption of the new ‘Trade Union Law’.

Trade Union Registrations

Following the initial example of the Nicosia Shoemakers, numerous new Unions were registered. By August 1939, 46 Trade Unions were registered with 2,544 members. By 1941, this had increased to 61 Trade Unions, with 3,679 members.

  • The first legal registration certificate of a Trade Union – the Nicosia Shoemakers Union in 1932.
  • The ‘Trade Union Law’ of 1932.
  • Branch of the Cyprus Miners Company ( CMC-KME ) Workers’ Union in 1946
  • Trade Union book of meeting minutes from 1931.
  • Record of minutes of the Cyprus Editors’ Union from 1942.
  • Record of minutes of the Nicosia – Kyrenia Municipal Union Conference from 1945.
  • Record of minutes of the Nicosia Private Sector Employees Union from 1935 to 1947.
  • Record of minutes of the Famagusta Private Sector Employees Union from 1939.
  • Biweekly bulletin of the Nicosia Unions.
  • Certificates of registration of various Unions, such as the Nicosia Typographers Union, in 1938, the Nicosia Barbers’ Union in 1936, the Kampos-Tsakkistras Lumber-Man Union in 1942, the Chauffer Union in 1947, etc.