Discussions taking place to avert strike on the 5th of December (200 words)

Published: 12/1/2000

According to reports in the local media, the staffs of Nizhni Novgorod Airlines have informed the federal authorities in the Nizhny Novgorod region that they plan to go on strike on the 5th of December. The action, according to the head of the airline's trade union Sergey Zolotov, has been provoked by delays in paying wages by the bankrupt airline, that has recently narrowly escaped being closed down after an eleventh hour creditors agreement In addition to wanting the payment of back wages, the unions are demanding a 200% wage increase arguing that the disparity between the 1,500 rubles a month earned by NNA flight crew significantly below the 7000 rubles of the Moscow airlines . To try and resolve the dispute a committee has been formed from representative of the management, trade unions, and employees. While NNA spokesman, Deputy External Manager Mikhail Shkirev acknowledged the employees demands, he pointed out that the payment of them was entirely dependent on the financial health of the airline. He did however; refute the claim that the airline had any wage arrears. According to Zolotov, the negotiations to date have been friendly, but there are no results as yet. They are however insistent that if management does not offer better terms they will go on strike.

Article ID: 2223