Some Rail Services Functioning, Others Affected by Strike
The nation's main freight train operator and a commuter train operator have said that trains are running at normal capacity despite today's railway workers strike. However, the other major passenger train operator said only half of its trains were running.
Estonian Railways was reportedly on schedule Thursday, and only around 100 of 1,830 workers went on strike, even though 57 percent of its workers belong to unions participating in the strike. The employees of Elektriraudtee, which operates electric-powered commuter trains, did not join the strike.
Yesterday, the subsidiaries of Estonian Railways, EVR Infra and EVR Cargo, turned to Harju County Court, arguing that the strike is unlawful because it is irrelevant and damaging to the company.
The railway workers' initiative aims to support the teachers strike, which the company management said it had nothing to do with. Although there are no current disputes between the Estonian Railways and its employees, the one-day strike could cause 300,000 euros in damages, according to the company.
The court decided not to prohibit the strike provisionally, but said that Estonian Railways may have the right to claim damages in case the strike is deemed unlawful.
Meanwhile, Edelaraudtee, one of the two major commuter train operators, had originally said that 18 trips would be made on Thursday, about half of the usual number. However, a press release from Estonian Railways contended that 60 of 65 commuter trains were in operation.
"We praise the men who were willing to serve passengers today. But we also respect the workers who decided to join the support strike," said the company's communication director, Kersti Gorstov.