PKP unions on verge of calling nationwide strike on November 13

Trade unions in Polish State Railways (PKP) have announced plans to commence strike action on November 13. During the planned protest no trains will run, bar military and special trains, as well as trains delivering ore to steelmills. The unions charge the Infrastructure Ministry with not fulfilling some of the promises which were made during an agreement signed in July between the Ministry and PKP trade unions. The Ministry denies these allegations. "All the points which were a part of the agreement have been fulfilled, however, the unions demand extra promises after the agreement was signed," said Ryszard Nałęcz director of the communication bureau at the Infrastructure Ministry. Members of PKP trade unions also claim that other reasons for the protest is a lack of a restructuring plan for the rail carrier, which was supposed to have been completed by the end of October, as well as the uncertain future of regional lines. (Gazeta Wyborcza, p. 21; Rzeczpospolita, p. B6) A.K.