EAC unions ponder strike over board’s ‘inertia’

The trade unions of the Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) Epopai, Sidikek and Sibaik will meet on Friday to decide whether to call on strike after citing “serious issues affecting the organisation and its employees”.

In a letter addressed to the EAC’s board of directors and to the ministries of finance, labour and energy the EAC trade unions lamented the omissions  resolving “serious issues” concerning the organisation and the employees, most of which were agreed on January 20, where binding decisions were made.

“We had warned that we would proceed with decisions, including the possibility of strike actions,” the letter said.

“Unfortunately, despite the time allowance given to you, following the meeting with the energy minister on November 7, the content of our letter still stands as there is no progress observed.”

The EAC unions criticised the EAC’s inertia over critical decisions concerning the completion of structures and staffing, supply security, production adequacy, the modernisation of the Dhekelia power station, and Renewable Energy Sources (RES).

Furthermore, the letter referred to the obligation of the EAC “for faithful implementation of agreements and collective contracts, and for resolving labour issues affecting the entire spectrum of the organisation’s personnel, which remain pending and cause unrest within the workforce, significantly impacting its smooth operation.”

The unions said that the exclusive responsibility for these developments lies with the EAC’s board of directors.