Discontent among PKP employees begins to boil over again

According to the protesters, the government and PKP management have not kept the terms of an agreement signed in October. PKP trade unions announced a plan to commence a general strike some time still this year, although the unions will meet with representatives of the Infrastructure Ministry later today. Following a Sejm meeting yesterday which accepted further restructuring and privatization of PKP controlled companies after 2006. Infrastructure Minister Marek Pol said that he is willing to negotiate with protesters who began a hunger strike several days ago. "The invitation to talks is open since the day we leant about the protests from the media. This is the worst type of strike we can imagine," said Pol. PKP employees are demanding a clear presentation of the restructuring program for the PKP group, guaranteeing extra funds for local and regional routes, as well as the suspension of excise tax on fuel purchased by PKP. (Puls Biznesu, p. 6) A.K.