Attention: Air traffic controllers plan to strike in Budapest

Despite the 15% rise in their pay and 30% less work, air traffic controllers are planning to strike at Ferihegy.

Covid-19 has brought a significant change in travelling. As there has been less traffic and the profits have significantly decreased, many European air navigation service providers had to cut back on wages or fire staff members. Hungary was no exception from the consequences of the coronavirus either. Since March 2020, the Hungarian company saw a decrease in traffic higher than 60% and a significant decrease in profits. Less traffic eventually led to 30% less workload for employees. Index writes that 

air navigation employees earn 1-2 million forints (2769-5539 euros) per month, which can rise to 2-3 million (5539-8308 euros) with benefits.

 

The benefits are really good, and healthcare is also provided. A prestigious medical office is operating at the HungaroControl headquarter, with cardiology and internal medicine departments. Moreover, the company organised a vaccination program for its employees. But the benefits do not end there. Air traffic navigators’ rest time can be spent in a very comfortable environment. They have rooms, one-person sleep capsules, massage chairs, pool table, recreation facility, fitness room, treadmill, sun terrace, “internet island”, and library.

On top of all these benefits, employees have a two week recreation time, separate from their yearly leave.

However, these work conditions were not enough for air traffic controllers at Ferihegy. Their 15 % raise in pay was considered too low, which led to a plan of starting a strike.

“Negotiations between HungaroControl and the company’s three trade unions have been going on for three years. An agreement was reached with two of them, but the wage negotiations with the Control Hungarian Trade Union of Air Traffic Controllers (CMLISZ) did not bring results. Therefore work can cease on Tuesday.” – writes Magyar Nemzet.

As of now, there is no information about how long the strike will be. It could start as early as Tuesday.

• Good news? Delta variant of Covid does not stop Hungarians from travelling
• Record cargo traffic in Budapest
  
  
  

Source: Index, Magyar Nemzet