(27 September 2010) Czech trade unions protested in Prague, 21 September 2010 as we have already explained in the site
The demonstration against intended governmental changes in the system of pay of public service workers and related changes in the Labour Code was the biggest one since the beginning of the nineties.
According to (generally very modest) official police estimate some 40.000 people took part.
The demonstration was originally called by the TU of the police but further trade unions joined in almost immediately. The protest was supported also by different associations and civic societies. Among the speakers who addressed the audience with a supportive statement there was even a representative of an association of professional soldiers who, by the law, are not allowed to form trade unions, bargain collectively or strike. Support of international TU organizations like ETUC and EPSU was mentioned by the moderator, too.
The participants were from trade unions of public services including workers in public utilities, local and national government, education and professional training, health and social care, police, fire-fighters, musicians, actors, workers in culture and environment protection and many others including supporters from the general public. A quite big ad hoc formed orchestra (about 50 players) of members of the TU of musicians played live at the beginning and at the end of the rally in the Jan Palach Square in the centre of Prague.
EPSU did ask its affiliates to send solidarity messages to our Czech colleagues.
It was clearly announced that if the Government pushes through the intended cuts in pay and investments, these will result in deterioration of services for general public, especially in emergency services of the police, fire-fighters, health and other emergency services that will not have sufficient funding for retaining the present level of the services, not to speak of any development or innovation.
Doctors have already announced their intention of submitting mass notices at the end of the year. Banners carried by nurses at the demonstration supported that decision by stating e.g. “East, West - abroad is best”. Czech TUs used to assure their European colleagues that there is no danger of any mass emigration from the country if EU borders get open as the Czechs traditionally do not like moving home without really serious reasons. At the moment, if the Government pushes through its policy, the danger of mass emigration of certain professionals is becoming quite acute. The more so that Austria has started a recruitment campaign for Czech healthcare workers, providing services of advisory and information centres and offering vacancies for nurses and doctors.
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