Hungary largest trade union representing train drivers, announced recently that they will suspend work indefinitely at the beginning of March if they are not compensated for their reduced wages that have fallen behind due to inflation.

On the heels of Hungary recent teacher demonstration, the Union of Locomotive Drivers (MOSZ) has decided recently to embark on an indefinite strike on March 10, after a failed inconclusive collective labor dispute with Hungary state owned national railway company MV- START Zrt..

Through a statement the trade union warned that the strike will also affect rail passenger and freight transport if no agreement is reached by then to compensate for the reduction of wages last year, in a.

On this MOSZ said, The membership of MOSZ 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 Locomotive Drivers calls on the management of MV-START Zrt. to start negotiations without delay and to agree on a still sufficient service regarding the passenger transport strike.

Strike

The Union of Locomotive Drivers calls on the management of MV-START Zrt. to start negotiations without delay and to agree on a still sufficient service regarding the passenger transport strike.

MV-START ZRT. reacted After the news came out. According to the report, The railway company considers the strike announcement of the Union of Locomotive Drivers to be unfounded, illegal, and irresponsible, and therefore they have submitted a counter-application to the Metropolitan Court of Budapest, which is entitled to decide on the legality of the strike.

The company believes that the threat the strike poses is an irresponsible incitement and is about nothing more than the individual ambitions of the union leaders who initiated it.

The company has fully complied with the three-year wage agreement concluded with the trade unions last year, MV-Start Zrt pointed out.

MOSZ

The company has fully complied with the three-year wage agreement concluded with the trade unions last year, MV-Start Zrt pointed out.

Balazs Barsi the president of MOSZ, said to medi that, One in two long-distance trains may be out of service due to the demonstration by the train drivers.

A third of suburban lines in Budapest and even more trains elsewhere may be canceled due to the strike.

As far as the union president, on the rail network running from Budapest to the large cities of Hungary, which are not considered suburban areas only every second train will be operational.

Fifty percent of the traffic has to be guaranteed in the event of a strike, Further Barsi said.

Balázs Barsi

Fifty percent of the traffic has to be guaranteed in the event of a strike, Further Barsi said.