Czech unions not to stage strike before summer, 4,000 protest

A conference of the CMKOS Czech umbrella unions today decided that the planned strike against the government reforms would not take place before mid-year, CMKOS head Jaroslav Zavadil said, adding that the strike might be staged later this year, likely in September or October. Nevertheless, the unions plan blockades of five ministries, which are responsible for preparing and implementing the unpopular reforms in the weeks to come, Zavadil told journalists. Some 4,000 members of trade unions and the NGOs took part in a march through the centre of Prague on Tuesday.