Budapest Transport Unions to Start Indefinite Strike May 27

12.05.2008 (11:57)

Trade unions representing workers of Budapest's public transport company BKV will begin a strike for days on May 27 unless an agreement is reached with the management over the unions' demands, the unions' spokesman Gabor Nemes said according to Railway Market-CEE Review.

The planned end of the strike would be announced at a later date, Nemes said.

Unions are demanding that the BKV management secure the financing necessary for BKV's operation and scrap plans to reduce services. The two sides have negotiated for weeks, but failed to reach an agreement.

BKV unions already staged a half-day strike on April 7 and a full-day strike on April 18.

Nemes confirmed that the unions of the bus and trolley-bus drivers would all join the strike, as well as some the tram drivers and vehicle repair workers. He added that the underground and suburban railways HEV workers are yet to decide on joining the strike.

Meanwhile, head of the Budapest Metro Workers Union Attila Gulyas said they agreed that a strike had to be held if no agreement was reached with the management but added that the date announced for the strike was hasty and did not leave enough time for further talks between the unions and the management.
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