Unions declare strike alert over planned austerity measures

Trade unions have declared a strike alert in protest against the austerity package unveiled by the government last week. According to the Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions, the austerity measures will place an excessively heavy burden on the weakest social groups, among them pensioners, families with children and employees. The austerity package will bring tax hikes for companies and individuals, lay-offs or lower salaries in the public sector and further price rises in goods and services. Talks between government officials, unions and employers are expected later today.