The dispute between SEPAIK, representing the scientific staff of the Electricity Authority of Cyprus, and the other trade unions of the Authority due to the reduction of the permanent positions of the scientific staff has mounted.
SEPAIK warned that there might be problems with the electricity supply as from today, since the engineers refrain from overtime employment.
After SEPAIK warned with strikes, EAC leaders urged the trade union to join its efforts to rationalize its structure and justified their decision to reduce the permanent posts of the scientific staff as part of a collective reorganization effort.
On the other hand, EPOPAI-SEK said that SEPAIK’s abstinence from the signing of agreements is a repeated behaviour.
EAC without engineers
Speaking to StockWatch, SEPAIK General Secretary, Sotos Savva said that the measures might affect power supply as from today since 210 of the 250 members of the scientific staff, including the engineers, will not be working overtime to repair possible damages.
According to Mr. Savva, the reduction of the permanent posts by 20% means that if a member of the scientific staff expected a promotion in 6 months or a year, he/she be promoted in 13 years.
“This move will affect negatively EAC too. With all latest developments with the natural gas, one would expect that the Authority would be strengthened and not shrunk. For this reason, this reduction took us by surprise”, he added.
EAC and EPOPAI answer back
While SEPAIK supports that the agreement was signed by the rest trade unions without being informed on the issue, Chairman of EAC Board of Directors, Haris Thrasou said that SEPAIK was invited to the meeting but it did not attend it.
According to Mr. Thrasou, SEPAIK put conditions to attend the meeting but this could not be accepted by the Board.
“SEPAIK sought for a separate meeting, although the meetings with it were more than with any other trade union. It is not the first time that SEPAIK refuses to sign”, Mr. Panorkos said.
The aim of the agreement
In his statements to StockWatch, Mr. Thrasou said that the decision was taken in a bid to rationalize the structure of the Authority and concerns the whole pyramid of the employees.
“This effort has a depth of time of five years. In this period, the staff will be cut by 2% every year. In five years, the staff cut will be of 10%”, he noted.
EPOPAI Chairman admitted that the amendments are painful but are to the benefit of the Authority.
On the other hand, Mr. Savva insisted that the other trade unions are satisfied because staff cuts concern the scientific staff only so they have no reason to protest.
“Instead, we could cut privileges enjoyed by the members of other trade unions such as the lunch benefit of €2 million”, he added.
Mr. Thrasou called on SEPAIK to be on the Authority’s side “to implement the mandates of the state on saving and rationalization of the Authority”.
SEPAIK warned that there might be problems with the electricity supply as from today, since the engineers refrain from overtime employment.
After SEPAIK warned with strikes, EAC leaders urged the trade union to join its efforts to rationalize its structure and justified their decision to reduce the permanent posts of the scientific staff as part of a collective reorganization effort.
On the other hand, EPOPAI-SEK said that SEPAIK’s abstinence from the signing of agreements is a repeated behaviour.
EAC without engineers
Speaking to StockWatch, SEPAIK General Secretary, Sotos Savva said that the measures might affect power supply as from today since 210 of the 250 members of the scientific staff, including the engineers, will not be working overtime to repair possible damages.
According to Mr. Savva, the reduction of the permanent posts by 20% means that if a member of the scientific staff expected a promotion in 6 months or a year, he/she be promoted in 13 years.
“This move will affect negatively EAC too. With all latest developments with the natural gas, one would expect that the Authority would be strengthened and not shrunk. For this reason, this reduction took us by surprise”, he added.
EAC and EPOPAI answer back
While SEPAIK supports that the agreement was signed by the rest trade unions without being informed on the issue, Chairman of EAC Board of Directors, Haris Thrasou said that SEPAIK was invited to the meeting but it did not attend it.
According to Mr. Thrasou, SEPAIK put conditions to attend the meeting but this could not be accepted by the Board.
“SEPAIK sought for a separate meeting, although the meetings with it were more than with any other trade union. It is not the first time that SEPAIK refuses to sign”, Mr. Panorkos said.
The aim of the agreement
In his statements to StockWatch, Mr. Thrasou said that the decision was taken in a bid to rationalize the structure of the Authority and concerns the whole pyramid of the employees.
“This effort has a depth of time of five years. In this period, the staff will be cut by 2% every year. In five years, the staff cut will be of 10%”, he noted.
EPOPAI Chairman admitted that the amendments are painful but are to the benefit of the Authority.
On the other hand, Mr. Savva insisted that the other trade unions are satisfied because staff cuts concern the scientific staff only so they have no reason to protest.
“Instead, we could cut privileges enjoyed by the members of other trade unions such as the lunch benefit of €2 million”, he added.
Mr. Thrasou called on SEPAIK to be on the Authority’s side “to implement the mandates of the state on saving and rationalization of the Authority”.
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