Employees of the Electricity Authority of Cyprus will stage a 24 hour work stoppage today, Thursday 23 April, escalating their dispute with the government following a meeting with Energy Minister Michalis Damianou, which the unions described as deeply disappointing.
The strike follows talks between union representatives and the minister that failed to deliver what unions said were concrete commitments from the state.
Kyriakos Taphounas, president of the office and technical staff union at the Electricity Authority of Cyprus, affiliated to OHO‑SEK did not rule out further action. “This time serious decisions must be taken and, if necessary, we will escalate,” he said.
Unions argue that the state has failed to provide clear answers on issues they say prevent the authority from operating effectively in the interest of consumers. They stress that their concerns go beyond labour demands and extend to broader problems in the operation of the energy sector that require political decisions.
For his part, the minister acknowledged that the issues raised were “not unreasonable” but said they reflect longstanding structural problems in the energy sector that need time to resolve. He also highlighted institutional constraints, particularly regarding state aid and competition rules, which limit the scope for immediate intervention.
Thursday’s stoppage marks the third in a series of warning strikes, following previous two hour and three hour actions. Unions have left open the possibility of further escalation.
For the first time, a significant number of shift workers are expected to participate, including staff at the Dhekelia power station.
The competent authorities say efforts are under way to safeguard uninterrupted electricity supply, with the Transmission System Operator assessing conditions in real time. However, the risk of disruption to the system remains, amid a critical period for the country’s energy planning.