Published: December 08 2023
Thousands of commuters in Budapest will face disruptions during the Christmas season due to a two-day strike by employees of the national coach company Volánbusz. The strike is organized by the Szolidaritás union to protest against the absence of plans for higher pay in 2024.
Key Details of the Strike
- The strike will take place on Sunday and Monday.
- Volánbusz will provide minimum services during the strike, with 80% of bus lines remaining active on Sunday and 55% on Monday. The company will publish information about the cancelled services on its website.
- The state-owned bus company calculated that 23,000 buses will be cancelled during the two-day strike.
- Volánbusz will appeal against a primary ruling that approved the strike action.
- The company aims to reach a new agreement about pay rises by 20 January 2024.
Impact on Commuters
The strike will disrupt the daily commute and travel plans of thousands of people in Budapest, especially during the holiday season. Commuters are advised to check the Volánbusz website for updates on cancelled services and consider alternative transportation options.
Opportunities for Dialogue
The Szolidaritás union has expressed its openness to holding talks with Volánbusz. Both parties have the opportunity to engage in dialogue and negotiate a resolution to address the issues surrounding pay raises and prevent future strikes.
Conclusion
The upcoming two-day strike by Volánbusz employees in Budapest will have a significant impact on commuters during the Christmas season. It is essential for both the union and the company to find common ground and engage in discussions to reach a fair resolution for all parties involved.
Questions & Answers
Why is there a bus strike in Budapest? Employees of the national coach company Volánbusz are going on a two-day strike to protest against the absence of plans for higher pay in 2024.
Who is organizing the bus strike in Budapest? The strike action is being organized by the Szolidaritás union.
Which unions are supporting the bus strike in Budapest? According to Volánbusz, none of the other "nearly 20" unions representing its employees support the strike.
What is the minimum service that Volánbusz will provide during the strike in Budapest? Volánbusz will provide minimum services on Sunday and Monday, with information about the cancelled services published on its website.
What percentage of bus lines will remain active on Sunday during the strike in Budapest? According to 168.hu, 80% of the bus lines will remain active on Sunday.
What percentage of bus lines will remain active on Monday during the strike in Budapest? According to 168.hu, the rate of active bus lines will fall to 55% on Monday.
How many buses are expected to be cancelled during the two-day strike in Budapest? According to Volánbusz, they have calculated 23 thousand cancelled buses during the two-day strike.
Is Volánbusz appealing against the ruling that approved the strike action? Yes, Volánbusz said that they would appeal against a primary ruling that approved the planned strike action as legitimate.
When does Volánbusz hope to sign a new agreement about pay rises? Volánbusz hopes to sign a new agreement about pay rises by 20 January 2024.
Is the Szolidaritás union open for talks regarding the bus strike in Budapest? Yes, the Szolidaritás union has stated that they remain open for talks.