Slovakia, Bratislava – Slovak bus drivers may well go on strike on Tuesday next week (May 25th). According to Emil Machyna from KOVO Unions Association, if the Unions, the Slovak Bus Transport (SAD) and regional governments (VUCs) don't reach an agreement concerning benefits for employees, the drivers are ready to come out on strike.

Machyna said the talks are still in progress, stressing that going on strike is not the objective, however. "If it comes to that, we're ready to shut down the bus service. It's the most effective way to do it, because people will then realise how important our cause is," he said.

Collective bargaining between the Unions and SAD ended up in deadlock last week, providing the impetus for the Unions to reveal their strike plans.

Machyna pointed on a paradox that SAD agrees with the demands of the Unions, but does not want to sign it, claiming that all eight regional VUCs have to approve the demands first. "However, the regional governments are not our partner, it's SAD which we're supposed to sign a Collective Agreement with."

(TASR, illustration photo)