Rail unions demand talks on workers’ transfer

Czech rail unions called on Thursday for an immediate meeting with Prime Minister Petr Nečas and Transport Minister Vít Bárta after the minister announced plans to transfer up to 10,000 workers, including dispatchers and signallers, from Czech Railways to the state-controlled company responsible for rail track and infrastructure. Rail union representatives said proper consultations had not been held about the move and warned that they could take dramatic steps if they gained no satisfaction from talks. No strike warning has yet been declared. The ministry has justified the transfer as part of the ongoing transformation of the rail network.