Strike action

The council of state has asked the government to clarify the reasons for suspending a strike by steel workers, questioning the nature of the "national security" concerns behind the cabinet decision.

Staff at the National Gallery in London began a five-day strike on Feb. 3 in protest against what trade unions say is creeping privatisation of the popular tourist attraction.
 
Most of the museum was forced to shut down because of the protest and a small group of around 40 people rallied outside the museum holding up placards and shouting: "Privatisation, no way!"  

Health and educational workers held a one-day strike in Kosovo today, demanding that a collective contract signed during the last election campaign come to force.

The government has suspended an ongoing strike in Turkey?s metal sector, citing national security.

?The strike by Birle?ik Metal-?? in the workplaces listed has been considered to be damaging national security and hence has been delayed for 60 days,? read a cabinet decision published in the Official Gazette on Jan. 30.

A group of metal workers began a strike on Jan. 29 around Turkey to protest poor wages in the sector and demand a better collective bargaining agreement with employers in the industry. Another group of metal workers are also planning to go on strike Feb. 19, increasing the total number of striking workers to some 15,000. 

Lawyers "defend rule of law," resume work

BELGRADE -- Serbian lawyers returned to work on Monday, after four and a half months of strike, after their demands to change laws on notaries and taxes were met.

BELGRADE - The Serbian lawyers returned to work on Monday, after four and a half months of strike, since their demands for changes to the law on notaries public and flat-rate taxes they are subject to were granted.

Agreement reached to end lawyers' strike

BELGRADE -- Ministry of Justice and the Bar Association of Serbia (AKS) teams have agreed on amendments to the Law on Public Notaries and the accompanying set of laws.

This was one of the demands that lawyers wanted fulfilled in order to end their strike that began on September 17.

The association representing Greek lawyers on Tuesday ruled to end an open-ended strike which has been ongoing since the start of the month.

Lawyers will return to work on Wednesday following the decision, which was deemed necessary in light of snap elections being called for January 25.

Teachers on strike could face "disciplinary measures"

BELGRADE -- Education Minister Srdjan Verbic has said that those teachers who did not hold classes on Monday will not receive pay for that day.

He also told TV Pink that headmasters could also start disciplinary action against the strikers "if there has been a more serious violation of the work process."