EU Commissioner Warns of Severe Impact of Transport Strikes (2)

Published: 09.03.2012 15:44

EU Commissioner of Transport Siim Kallas
( Photo: ERR )

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A transport workers' strike is an extreme initiative that should only be utilized as a last resort, according to European Commissioner of Transport Siim Kallas, who spoke at the annual Employers Confederation conference on Friday.

"Strikes are undoubtedly a reality, which has been an inevitable part of the social structure since the 19th century,” said Kallas. "But transport worker strikes are special [...] It is a very sharp weapon.”

Kallas said that several EU countries have taken serious steps to reduce transport worker strikes.

"The Paris subway used to go on strike as it pleased, but not any more. A subway strike in Paris would paralyze the movement of 10 million people," he said, also recalling a Spanish air traffic controllers strike that disrupted one-third of flights in Europe, after which the country enforced stricter regulations.

Friday marked the last day of Estonia's week-long wave of transport strikes - the largest in the country's postwar history.

But despite the objection of some officials and companies, others said the transport strike was a light one.

ETV reported Thursday, during the peak, that the initiative only caused minor inconveniences to commuters.

In many cases, transport workers also backed off from their initial plans to strike. Although streetcar drivers said that not a single tram would run on Thursday, at least 30 percent were actually operating. It was a similar story with trains and buses, and some drivers in the counties opted to protest with signs instead of joining the full-on strike.

Altogether, the Transport and Road Workers Union organized 16 strike events in nine Estonian cities and towns this week to support teachers' salary demands and to protest the planned amendment to the Collective Agreements Act, allowing unilateral termination of expired collective agreements.

 

Ott Tammik

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Comments (2)

  • Daan

    09.03.2012 20:54

    Why can eating your soup and reading at the same time an article about EU- Commissioner Siim Kallas take your breath? Is it because he feels at home everywhere, at any time, as an eel feeling good in all waters? Isn’t it a coincidence that European Commissioner Kallas - whose work is to look after the general interests of the European Union – shows up in Estonia, in the Estonian news after an Estonian labour action? What a coincidence he is giving a speech before Estonian (lobby) “Employers Confederation conference”, mentioning “transport workers' strike, and (the in some countries yes or not) existing minimum service”. Organising a minimum service is anyhow a decision of the Parliaments of the different Countries itself. Maybe Commissioner of Transport Kallas could have given instead a speech to the Transport workers, telling them how important there job is in a European economical system, how he supports there demands for good balanced Collective Agreements, as they are important for social peace and a good working Estonian economy. He could have addressed himself to the Estonian Government and appealing on them to start to work on real social and economical prosperity for everybody, building a large working- and middle class to be the cornerstone of a prosper society where it is good living for everybody … Maybe he could have announced at this occasion, how hard he is working at the so badly needed modern XXI-Century national railroad network, and the enclosure of the Baltic States, to be connected by High Speed Trains to the rest of the European Union, and how Transport workers must make this all come true… But also for this political correct appeal, Mister Kallas as European Union Commissioner has to abstain from National Politics. Sure our Commissioner can have a personnel opinion, but as a professional politician he should chose carefully his moments and places to give it, and make sure at any time: he is speaking in personal name and not as EU- Commissioner. Its not the first time the name of Commissioner Kallas shows up in Estonian local problems (for example the “Tallinn Mayor” incident) or now in case of National – Social matters. Fact is his name and EU- Function is again connected to support today’s ruling political parties in Estonia. This is a EU- Commissioner unworthy! A genius man with – if I’m well informed- a nearly 40 years political career, in complete different political systems, going from finances over banking to journalism, to president of Labour Union, a job “abroad”, and after a short break of four years back into Finance- Banking, and now as liberal- conservative over national politics back abroad, should know better.

  • vähi

    10.03.2012 12:45

    When the $10 million from Eesti Pank/Bank of North Estonia runs out and he is no longer commissioner, Kallas might be singing a different tune!