Prague public transport strike looms after negotiations fail

Talks between unions representing Prague public transport workers and the city’s public transport authority broke down on Monday increasing the risk of a public transport strike. The unions and a crisis committee created to deal with the transport authority’s problems failed to agree on a series of demands put forward by unions. Talks are due to resume on Wednesday with unions warning they will start strike preparations if there is no breakthrough. The unions are angered by threatened lay offs and a mooted 7.0 percent pay cut being planned by managers. They want the city to give a new cash injection to the operator of Prague’s bus, tram and metro network. Prague mayor Pavel Bém has offered an extra 900 million crowns but unions say this is insufficient.