State railway workers in Hungary began a strike on Dec. 14 causing large-scale disruptions to rail transport throughout the country.
The Independent Railway Workers Union is demanding a 10 percent raise and a one-time payment of $1,260.00 to each worker. The payment would come out of the profits made from the privatization of the freight transportation unit of the Hungarian state railway.
Two unions at the International Budapest Airport in Ferihegy have been on strike since Dec. 10, demanding better working conditions and an end to layoffs. Airport management hired scabs from other EU nations to do the jobs of the striking workers. In response, the union and the workers organized militant pickets.
Public sector workers have called for a nationwide strike in Hungary for Jan. 12 against the proposed bonus-pay cuts and pay freezes by the government.
Many countries throughout Europe continue to experience a growing number of mass strikes as conditions for workers continue to worsen.
