Transit workers threaten strike

The threat of a mass public transport strike continues to loom over Prague residents as talks between unions and transport officials broke down Nov. 9. The unions say that, unless their proposals are agreed to by noon Nov. 11, a public transport strike could be called.

The breakdown occurred over a series of demands put forward by the unions to Prague Public Transit Company management. Talks are due to resume with unions warning they will start strike preparations if there is no breakthrough and that a strike could be called at any time.

Individual unions representing repairmen, drivers and other workers have all given the green light to launch a major strike should union leaders call for one.

The unions are angered by threatened layoffs and a proposed 5 percent pay cut and are worried by the precarious state of the transit company's finances. They want the city to give a cash injection to the operator of Prague's bus, tram and metro network. Prague Mayor Pavel Bém has offered an extra 900 million Kč ($50.3 million), but unions say this is not enough to pull the company out of its financial problems.

Prague Public Transit Company faces a budget shortfall of 2 billion Kč.

Bém, without going into specifics, was far from optimistic that a resolution with the unions could be agreed to.

"I have heard their demands," he said. "Some of them surprised me."

The Social Democratic Party (ČSSD) came out in support of a possible strike.

ČSSD Deputy Chairman Zdeněk Škromach said he believes the workers were being asked to bear the brunt of mismanagement by transport authorities. He said the public should direct its anger not at the unions but at management.

"We believe the people should not turn against the striking employees who are defending their rights. It should be directed against City Hall's incapability of securing conditions for transport to operate in Prague," Škromach said.

Bém (Civic Democrats, ODS) branded a possible strike irresponsible. He said the unions were holding Prague residents hostage.

He called on the unions to give the transport authorities and City Hall more time for negotiations.

At the onset of negotiations, Bém established a crisis committee to talk with the unions and try to salvage the company's rapidly deteriorating finances.

Tom Clifford can be reached at
tclifford@praguepost.com