As the Hungarian government has revoked virtually all coronavirus-related restrictions and obligations, a teachers' trade union is demanding that the Orbán administration revoke those that restrict their right to strike as well.Continue reading
The train drivers’ strike would have been kicked-off on Thursday after state-owned railway company MÁV refused to raise their salaries amid very high and ever increasing inflation. The Union of Train Drivers (MOSZ), however, recently announced that they are calling off the protest due to the war in Ukraine and the increasing number of refugees.
Back at the beginning of February, MOSZ decided to embark on an indefinite strike on March 10, after a failed inconclusive collective labor dispute with Hungary’s state owned national railway company MÁV-START Zrt.
Back then, MOSZ argued that it “does not accept that the reduction in real earnings due to the zero percent wage increase in 2021 and high inflation will not be compensated. The Union of Train Drivers calls on the management of MÁV-START Zrt. to start negotiations without delay and to agree on a still sufficient service regarding the passenger transport strike,” MOSZ said.
The state-owned rail company, however, considered the strike announcement to be unfounded, illegal, and irresponsible, nothing more than the individual ambitions of the union leaders. The company also pointed out that the company has fully complied with the three-year wage agreement concluded with the trade unions last year.
According to the union’s statement, ongoing negotiations with the employer to meet the strike demands will be maintained. MÁV welcomed their decision.
featured image via Zoltán Máthé/MTI