Strike!

For years, the public transportation union here in Prague have been threatening to strike due to changes in their contracts. Supposedly, they are upset because they are pushing back retirement benefits to 60 years old but making them retire at 50 years old which leaves them hanging for 10 years! Also benefits lost and salary cuts. I would be TO'd too! So after years of threatening, they finally had enough. This Thursday June 16th, 2011 the WHOLE public transportation workers refused to work. The trams, metro, and buses refused to run. The workers gathered together to do a march. It was quite exciting at work because we were all wondering how we would get to work on Thursday. We thought taxi's would work, but everyone needed a taxi in all of Prague, so the chance of getting a taxi was slim to none.

Thursday morning came and I met up with my coworkers to figure out how we will get to work. We walked down I.P Paplova and found ourselves right in all the action. Some union workers still need the money and a few trams were going. Although as you can imagine were packed with people hoping to get a ride. Talk about bad timing. In one of my pictures, you see the tram right in the middle of the protest. Surprisingly, it was peaceful and just an awkward situation for that driver who decided not to protest. Whoops.

After a bit more walking towards school, we hoped on a tram that could take us up to the castle. My school is located right behind it. Thankfully we made it up the big hill on a tram but had to walk to the rest of the way. It was hot and long but we finally made it to work. Phew! The strike was 24 hours and we were lucky to all get taxi's home. It was strange seeing everyone walking and no trams working. I hope the Union got what they wanted otherwise, there will be some fit people here in Prague from all the walking ;)