Hungary: a judgment on lawfulness of a strike organized by railway workers

At the beginning of February 2008 the Independent Union of Rail Men (VDSZSZ) organized a strike in the railway sector. On the one hand, the VDSZSZ demanded a 10 % wage increase from July 1 of 2007 retrospectively and on the other hand, the trade union demanded a one-off wage payment (about 1000 euros by worker) from the income of the prospected privatisation and restructuring of the Hungarian Railways (see our article 080114). On the first demand the Court ruled the organization of the strike action by VDSZSZ was unlawful to the extent that it concerned the modification of an existing wage agreement. According to the Act on Strikes (Act Nr. VII of 1989) under a valid collective agreement a strike is unlawful for the modification of such agreements. On the second demand, the Court dismissed the argument of the employer that the organization of strike for such an aim was unlawful. It stated that the collective agreement in question did not contain any agreement to this regard.
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o the Act on Strikes (Act Nr. VII of 1989) under a valid collective agreement a strike is unlawful for the modification of such agreements. On the second demand, the Court dismissed the argument of the employer that the organization of strike for such an aim was unlawful. It stated that the collective agreement in question did not contain any agreement to this regard.

Planet Labor, February 22, 2008, No. 080149 – www.planetlabor.com

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