EAC unions meeting with ministers this Friday

A meeting between the energy and finance ministers, and unions representing workers at the Electricity Authority (EAC) has been rescheduled for this coming Friday.

The meeting had been set for last Friday, but got postponed because Labour Minister Kyriacos Koushos – who would have attended in his role as mediator – fell ill.

According to the Cyprus News Agency, the meeting on January 20 will take place at the finance ministry building. Attending will be Koushos, finance minister Constantinos Petrides and Energy Minister Natasa Pilides.

EAC trade unions have threatened to enforce work-to-rule unless the government meets their demands – which relate to the hiring of an additional 370 workers at the state-run power company, the status of the Dhekelia power station, and the EAC’s role in the renewables sector.

Imminent strike action, and power cuts, were averted back in December when Koushos bought the government some time.

Unions agreed to hold off on going on strike and to engage with the finance and energy ministers.