Trade union representatives storm out of talks

Trade union representatives stormed out of tripartite talks on Friday after coming under fire by the prime minister. Union, employers’, and government representatives were to discuss draft employment legislation, but union representatives walked out after Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek sharply criticised both employers and unions on the issue of meal tickets (a system subsidised by employers in return for tax relief by the state). The government had planned to abolish the system last year. The spokeswoman for the ČMKOS union called the prime minister’s words on Friday “vulgar” and the situation “unprecedented”. Mr Topolánek later issued a full apology, asking representatives to return to the negotiating table.