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Strike chaos in Hungary’s main international airport
19 December 2008
 |  | | Budapest Ferihegy International Airport control tower, photo: József Süveg | |
Civil aviation workers based at Hungary’s main airport are on strike after their employers terminated their collective agreement.
The workers, represented by the ITF-affiliated union the Joint Aviation Trade Union and based at Ferihegy Airport in Budapest walked out on strike on 10 December after management unexpectedly terminated their contract. The Budapest Airport managers have been unwilling to enter into talks over the issue and have also attempted to restructure several sections of the company and reorganise rosters. It has also been reported that a number of workers have been dismissed and working conditions have deteriorated, with some workers forced to work some 5-10 kilometres away from their usual place of work in crammed buildings with no water or basic supplies.
In addition the union reports that Budapest Airport management has attempted to employ unqualified and untrained workers as strike-breakers, which could undermine safety.
The ITF has highlighted the potential safety issues and the illegality of employing strike-breakers in letters of protest to Budapest Airport management and to the Hungarian Prime Minister and Transport Minister. It has also called on affiliated unions to act in solidarity with the workers at the company.
Réka Szabó of the union said: “Budapest Airport management has refused to negotiate with us unless the employees end their strike. Instead of negotiating, they've been using manipulation and threats against workers in an attempt to force them to return to work. It seems that Budapest Airport management does not understand, that the apprehension, uncertainty and humiliation they've been causing workers is what led to the strike in the first place.”
More information: http://www.itfglobal.org/solidarity/budapest.cfm
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