BRATISLAVA, May 26, (WEBNOVINY) — The Transport Ministry wants to negotiate with engine drivers that have scheduled an hour-long sit-in strike for Friday afternoon. Transport Ministry State Secretary Jan Hudacky reported following the Cabinet session on Thursday that the ministry tried to initiated talks but engine drivers failed to respond. “We are ready for talks and we will strive to avert their decision [to hold the strike] until the last possible moment,” Hudacky underscored the ministry’s intention to do their utmost so that the two parties return to the negotiating table.
The Slovak Federation of Engine Drivers has announced a sit-in strike for the end of this week. The one-hour sit-in strike should be held on May 27 from 2:50 p.m. to 3:50 p.m. local time. Based on the instructions of the strike committee, the strike is to concern the whole territory of the country. During the hour-long strike, engine drivers should stop their trains at the nearest stations and leave only after the strike ends.
The government’s revitalization program of Slovak railways, approved in mid-March counts on dismissal of approximately 5,000 of the overall 31,000 employees of three railway companies and achieving balanced financial results. The recovery plan of the state-run railway companies is to secure settlement of receivables between the state and the railway companies and optimize the sector. In addition to this, the Transport Ministry wants to sell a minimum of 66-percent stake in the freight company Cargo to a strategic investor.
SITA