Rail workers join airport staff and go on strike

Ground and security workers at Budapest's Ferihegy International Airport (LHBP/BUD) continued their strike for the sixth consecutive day on 15 December 2008. Delays and multiple flight cancellations occurred over the 13-14 December weekend, although on a lower scale than at the beginning of the strike. As of 14 December, four gates at the airport were open; flights have been suspended at terminal 1 from 1200-1800 local time. Meanwhile, a nationwide railway strike is also taking place on 15 December. Rail service -- including intercity, express and international trains -- is virtually at a halt, with only a few trains in western Hungary running. The VDSZSZ union had initially called the strike in eastern Hungary to demand higher wages and a share of the revenue from the privatization of the system's cargo operation, but as of 1800 local time (1700 UTC) on 14 December, the union extended the labor action to all services nationwide. Increasing the potential for continued disruptions, public transport workers in Budapest announced on 15 December that they will stage a strike from 0430 to 1300 local time (0330-1200 UTC) on 18 December.