Workers’ fight in ŠKODA AUTO, a.s. Mladá Boleslav successful

Meetings held on 30.3.2005 in all shifts and in all plants of the company with one hour interruption of work (production has been totally stopped in all three plants and in each of the shifts) brought change in managements’ position in the collective bargaining. The main reason we found in the fact, that from total 21 000 employees in Škoda Auto some 17 000 actively participated in the demonstrations and strike - employees clearly showed that in case of managements’ obstinacy they are prepared to continue and to intensify the protests.

In the 15. round of negotiation on April 1. 2005 the wage part of the collective agreement has been agreed (other chapters has been already agreed before), that has been 4.4.2005 approved by the OS KOVO Company Trade Union Council in ŠKODA AUTO, a.s.

The initial proposals from the management side from February this year would mean freezing tariffs until July 1, 2005 and then increase by ca 2,1 %, limiting bonuses, no 13. salary, etc. (i.e. decrease of the average wage by ca 10 000 CZK/year).

After the protest actions changes has been agreed, that would lead to the wage increase by at least 7 percent from June 1, 2005, increased bonuses, increase in 13. salary, etc., - in total it means increase in wage costs by ca 8 % for 2005 and 2006.

We would like to thank everybody for the solidarity support.

Ing. Jan Uhlíř OS KOVO President