Drivers' strike may affect quarter of public transport in Vilnius – mayor

VILNIUS – Drivers working for Vilniaus Viesasis Transportas (Vilnius Public transport, VVT) are set to go on strike on Monday, and the industrial action may affect a quarter of the public transport system in the Lithuanian capital, Mayor Remigijus Simasius says.

"In the worst-case scenario, about a quarter of public transport vehicles in the city will stop running," he told a press conference on Friday.

Darius Aleknavicius, director general at VVT, said that 35 percent of the company's drivers planned to go on strike, mostly those driving buses.

"About an hour ago, we received the trade union's lists of employees planning to take part in the strike, and the total number of employees on the list is 437, including 432 bus and trolleybus drivers," he said.

In his words, the majority of the drivers are bus drivers, so people using buses will be mostly affected on Monday, and trolleybus timetables are not expected to change significantly.

The VVT trade union demands the inclusion of the wage system into the updated collective agreement and also wants a 10 percent pay rise be enshrined in the agreement. But as the sides have so far failed to agreed on the details, the VVT administration unilaterally approved the new pay system.

VVT operates 76 out of 105 routes in Vilnius. Two other carriers, Transrevis and Kautra, also provide passenger services and they are expected to operate normally.

Passengers have been warned of possible disruptions and traffic jams on Monday and are urged to plan their journeys in advance and walk shorter distances.