Czech unions want substantial increases


Unions in the Czech Republic are looking for substantial increases for public sector workers and are threatening strikes to make up the ground they have lost. 


In September, the government discussed a 10% increase for civil servants and a 15% increase for teachers. But the parties in the coalition failed to agree on an appropriate increase. (Inflation was 2.5% in July.) 


Elections are due in October and the unions are anxious to ensure that the impetus for a significant increase is not lost. 


František Dobšik, the head of the teachers’ union, explained that the union was issuing a strike warning so the government understands that “the situation is grave”.