Anti-austerity protests continue

Public service unions continue to be involved in the anti-austerity protests coordinated by the CMKOS trade union confederation. A week of action beginning 14 May will be followed by a another national demonstration on 22 May. The week of action will involve protestors occupying ministries as well as unions providing information to the public on the implication of the cuts to services. CMKOS will also consider the possibility of calling for a general strike. [Read more at > Czech news webstie (EN)->http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/news/zpravy/czech-unionists-activists-to-march-through-prague-on-may

The CMKOS trade union confederation coordinated a day of protests and warning strikes on 27 November in a campaign against government policies. The unions are concerned that the government wants to impose a new round of austerity, including pay freezes for public service workers. The key CMKOS demands also cover pensions and retirement age, protection for real wages and the funding and provision of quality public services. Health and care union OSZSP mobilised around the country and the OSSOO state workers’ union was one of five CMKOS affiliates that organised hour-long warning strikes.

The STAL local government union has announced that it is planning further protest action in April following the general strike that took place on 22 March. The union says that there was 80% support for the strike in local government. It had been called by the CGTP trade union confederation but was not support by the UGT confederation. The UGT signed an agreement on growth and jobs with the employers and government earlier this year. [Read more at > STAL (PT)->http://www.stal.pt/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=824&Itemid=183] [And on the UGT agreement at > Sintap (PT)->http://www