1988. augusztus (184-207. szám) / HU_BFL_XIV_47_2

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Editor: György Krassó ‘ 24/D Little Russell Street ‘ London, WC1A 2HN * Tel. 01-430 2126 (írom abroad 441-430 2126)

199/1988 (E) 2/,th August, 1988

Minerc Strikc in Pécs and Komló

On August 23rd workers in the Mecsek Coalmines* István pit in Pécs went on strike.

The director of the company did nőt succeed in convincing the miners to go'to work so László Kovács, generál secretary of the Mining Industry’s Workers Union, and László Kapolyi commissioner fór energy started negotiations with the miners at dawn today. However they were nőt successful either and the strike spread to Komló and miners in other towns prepared to jóin them. Bút this aftemoon the miners’ repre- sentative in Budapest made an agreement witfy the government which promised to fulfill their demands. Afterwards members of the negotiating delegation declared that it was nőt a strike bút a "stoppage" and that no political tone was intended in their action. According to reports by the Hungárián mass média the night shift has started work in the striking mines.

The strike was provoked by the fact that "loyalty money", which is paid to the miners every year, has this year been significantly reduced as a result of personal income tax which was introduced at the beginning of this year, despite so-called "grossing". The government has promised to pay an adequate sum fór last years loyalty bonuses and to review the miners bonus system and the taxation of it in future, a date fór this has nőt been determined.

Minor stoppages are nőt unknown in Hungary bút the size of the Pécs strike, its rapid expansion and the publicity given to it caused panic in the Hungárián political leadership which decided to satisfy its main demands immediately.

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