NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Cyprus’ president appealed to trade unions on Friday to rally behind tough austerity measures that the government wants to negotiate with potential creditors in return for a multibillion euro bailout loan to prop up the country’s ailing banks and economy.

Dimitris Christofias met with trade union leaders, who have reacted angrily to the proposed public sector salary cuts and tax hikes they say are unfairly being foisted on workers and would deepen the recession rather than spurring growth.