Largest-ever transport strike due in Czech Republic Monday

PRAGUE, June 11 (Itar-Tass) -- The Czech Republic on Monday will see
the biggest strike of public transport in recent history. It was called by
the transport unions. The activists confirmed on Friday that the strike
will be held on June 13 from 03:00 to 16:00 local time (05:00 - 18:00
Moscow time). Traffic will stop in Prague, Brno, Usti-nad-Labem and other
cities. The trade unions have warned of traffic jams: trains will be
halted and the main highways of the country will be blocked.
The reason for this industrial action is protest against government
reforms, which, according to activists, will hurt the citizens and the
country's budget. In order to demonstrate their firm opposition the unions
are prepared to not only block traffic on the railways, but also to stop
public transport in major cities.
The government has already expressed its position. It argues that the
trade unions "unduly hurry to go on strike, leaving the Cabinet no time
and opportunity for a detailed explanation of the essence upcoming
reforms." At the same time, government officials have stated that "the
Cabinet will not abandon the implementation of the conceived reforms, but
is willing to negotiate about some details."
President Vaclav Klaus said he did not accept the strike as a form of
political pressure on the government. He stressed that trade unions should
be apolitical.
As Itar-Tass has been told at the Prague mayor's office, "every effort
is being made to help the residents of the capital on Monday to get to
work." In particular, negotiations are underway to persuade Prague's metro
to keep working, although in the mode of weekends, when trains run at
longer intervals.
"We hope that the unions will meet us halfway," said a source in the
mayor's office.