Tbilisi without subway, day 2
Train drivers continue protest
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The drivers of Tbilisi subway trains continue their protest, demanding increased salaries.
On the other hand Tbilisi City Hall says this year there is no financial resources to increase salaries for subway drivers and promises to start discussions on the issue in 2019.
Drivers say that if an agreement is signed which envisages a salary increase starting from January 1, 2019, they will continue to work from 8 am instead of 6 am which is the official time of the subway opening.
The drivers are looking forward to meeting with Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze.
While the drivers of Tbilisi subway are on strike the municipal buses serve passengers free of charge in Tbilisi.
Drivers of Tbilisi Subway trains went on strike on June 4. They demand an increase of their salaries by 45 percent.
Tbilisi City Hall and the Transport Company face a 45,000 GEL loss due to the strike.
Metro drivers started their strike yesterday and have gathered in Gladni Depot currently demanding an increase in their salary from the Tbilisi mayor. Tbilisi City Hall has provided passengers with free buses appointed particularly for this day to avoid traffic around the city.
“Harmful precedent”
The decision of the Tbilisi City Court, by which the right of the employees of Tbilisi Metro to strike has been restricted, is a harmful and dangerous precedent for labour rights, says Georgia’s public defender Nino Lomjaria.
A new University Metro station has opened in Georgia’s capital of Tbilisi, better connecting residents living in the city.
Bilingual maps with metro stations, main streets and other landmarks around each station have now appeared in the Tbilisi subway system.
Tbilisi metro drivers have stopped their strike on the third day as a verbal agreement has been reached with Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze over a gradual increase of salaries. Drivers returned to their jobs at 2 pm today and said that their salaries will rise step by step from January 2019, until the hike reaches 45 percent.