"After a final four-hours negotiation, the Budapest Transport Company (BKV) and the strike committee representing 14 trade unions at the company have reached an agreement, putting an end to a six-day city-paralysing strike. The unions have got what they wanted, so as of Monday, all BKV-operated buses and trams should be back on the streets but some problems may still be with the schedules.Although the parties have come to terms about the collective agreement, the strike will be called off completely only when the contract is signed.
BKV’s management finally granted the 14 trade unions, which represent about half of the company’s 12,000 employees, what they demanded, although not all of their requests were met.
They were granted the monthly HUF 6,000 hot meal vouchers, the HUF 45,000 end-year "turkey money" (i.e. luncheon vouchers) and the company will keep contributing 3-3% of pension and healthcare contributions. BKV stipulated, though that wages and extras cannot exceed HUF 59 bn in 2010, index.hu reported.
Gábor Nemes, spokesman for the strike committee said this was merely a suspension of the strike and they will end it only when the collective agreement is signed with all 26 trade unions. It is expected to be inked on Monday or Tuesday.
BKV CEO István Kocsis said that under the deal the company will be able to keep a lid on spending as set forth in its business model, but they have found those "channels", through which the demands of the unions can be met. The final content of the agreement will be decided at wage talks, he told MTI.
In exchange for the perks, the unions agreed that wages will not be raised only adjusted so that their real value is maintained.
Nemes said after the talks that they submitted no new demands; they only wanted to retain the perks the previous collective agreement that expired at the end of 2009 ensured."
Source: Portfolio Online Financial Journal
18.01.2010