Zagreb braces for city service workers' strike Monday

City service workers in Zagreb are set to go on strike tomorrow, with the action expected to disrupt public transport and a number of other municipal services.

The strike is due to begin at 3:30 Monday morning and will include buses and trams operated by ZET, the city's public transport service, as well as the municipal waste service Čistoća, the parks service Zrinjevac and other branches of Zagreb Holding.

Mayor Tomislav Tomašević says he will not give in to what he describes as an ultimatum from the unions, which he says appear determined to proceed with the strike.

The city and the unions remain in arbitration over the number of essential workers who must remain on the job during the strike. However, Tomašević has expressed doubt that an agreement will be reached before the strike begins.

Both sides have blamed each other for the impasse. Tomašević says the unions waited until the last minute to submit their proposals regarding the number of essential workers and says they will be responsible for any disruption caused by the strike.

"It is particularly problematic, because these companies carry out functions that are vital to the city. The city sent proposals on the minimum number of essential workers required during the strike to ensure public safety is maintained. ZET did not respond or offer a counterproposal for two weeks," Tomašević said.

No Further Talks Planned

Dražen Jović, head of the Union of Transportation and Municipal Services of Croatia, says there will be no further talks ahead of the strike.

No city trams or buses will operate during the strike. Sanitation workers will continue to collect waste only from hospitals, day-care centers, nursing homes and other facilities where a build-up of waste could pose a direct health risk.

Jović has blamed the city administration and the management of ZET and Zagreb Holding for the situation.

"Unions have the legal right to stop working tomorrow. It can't be take it or leave it all the time. Unfortunately, this is where we are, and the chances of reaching an agreement are minimal," Jović said.

Mayor Appeals to Workers and Residents

Tomašević also appealed directly to city workers, saying their work is important but that he cannot jeopardize the finances of the entire city.

"We know our workers perform demanding and important work and we want them to have good working conditions and increasing salaries. We are ready to continue investing in their material rights. Also, workers that want to work tomorrow must not be prevented from doing so. I was elected to manage this city responsibly — including being financially responsible — and I cannot accept any demands that would threaten the city's finances," Tomašević said.

The mayor has urged drivers to carpool where possible and consider alternative modes of transportation during the strike.

He has also called on employers to allow people to work from home where possible. Schools, meanwhile, have said they will be flexible regarding student arrivals and attendance in general.