Power utility PPC and the corporation’s main union group Genop are believed to be within a few weeks of a deal for a new collective labor agreement, talks on which had begun late last year.

According to sources, the new agreement, to cover a three-year term, could be signed by the two sides within February, otherwise no later than March.

PPC and Genop want to have signed a new collective labor agreement before the existing deal expires in May.

The negotiating parties are believed to have agreed on terms that will ensure smooth labor relations and also offer workers a share of PPC’s favorable results.

Benefits for employees stationed at PPC facilities are expected to include improved daily food allowances, sources informed.

Genop also appears to have successfully demanded retroactive payment of supplementary allowances for front-line workers stationed at power stations and mines. These retroactive allowances, covering January 1, 2019 to June 1, 2020, are expected to be paid to workers over three installments.

Matters that still need to be resolved by PPC and Genop include the lifting of a wage freeze on salaries that was imposed as part of the country’s bailout agreement.