Families of foreign nationals are at a loss as their cars remain stuck in train carriages, while passengers struggle with suitcases and bags across platforms and tracks in search of buses. Young people shout from train windows, and pensioners wait under the sun due to halted journeys…

These are just a few of the repercussions stemming from the suspended train services, witnessed by “Vijesti” at the Podgorica railway station.

A collective of 85 train dispatchers, remote control dispatchers (TC), and traffic dispatchers from the Railway Infrastructure Company (ŽICG) officially ceased their work yesterday, halting all train traffic across Montenegro in pursuit of higher salaries from the company’s management. They announced this blockade two days in advance, seeking a dialogue with ŽICG’s leadership.

As of the publication of this article, no formal discussions had taken place between ŽICG’s leaders and the group of workers, leading to the continued blockade…

“Vijesti” chatted with two families, one from Serbia and another from Great Britain, whose private vehicles were left in a train carriage at the Podgorica station. Serbian citizens expressed frustration over the lack of information regarding the ongoing situation, while the British family remained understanding.

“We’d consider taking a bus, but our car is still in the carriage. We have no idea how long this blockade will persist. Such occurrences are quite normal since strikes happen in the UK too,” they commented briefly.

Train traffic officially ceased yesterday at 9 AM, coinciding with the arrival of an international train from Belgrade at the Podgorica platform. Passengers were then redirected to buses to continue their travels. Shortly after, a train from Nikšić met the same fate…

The management of ŽICG accused those halting train services of sabotage, suggesting that such actions may have underlying motives, with some employees facing potential criminal charges. They emphasized a willingness to engage in dialogue, but not under threats, indicating that discussions around salary increases were already ongoing with representative unions…

The representatives of the workers declined the management’s invitation for a meeting, insisting that an official request, complete with a seal, be provided. They specifically sought a meeting involving the ŽICG management, two company representative unions, the Board of Directors president, a representative from the Ministry of Transport, and a member of the Directorate for Railway Transport.

“We urge the Government and the Ministry of Transport to intervene and facilitate dialogue with management to resolve the situation. We are not at fault; management is to blame. They are threatening us with dismissals and criminal charges; we are prepared to retrieve our workbooks, so kindly manage the traffic,” stated a representative of the ŽICG employees during the blockade, Andrej Kaludjerovic.

Under the sweltering sun on a station bench, “Vijesti” also spoke to Peacock Mujovic, a pensioner from Nikšić who frequently travels by train and was heading to the coast.

“I arrived here this morning, spent some time around town, and was headed to Sutomore. With the trains stopped, I won’t be swimming today, but maybe in two or three days when services resume… This affects everyone, and it should have been resolved in the offices. Management rarely hears from workers; they only listen during elections,” he remarked.

Among the foreigners waiting was an Australian citizen, who mentioned being told to wait another five hours to learn if she could board a train to Belgrade. She expressed willingness to wait and added that if no train was available, she would simply purchase a bus ticket.

The Executive Director of ŽICG, Marina Bosković, extended apologies to passengers for the delays and urged workers to permit the passage of a train carrying the private property of foreign nationals.

She highlighted the financial challenges facing ŽICG that prevent them from meeting all demands from the worker group, noting that while 85 workers signed the stoppage initiative, not all participated.

“We are accommodating people in our facilities because they cannot access their cars, which contain essential medications. Additionally, there is a passenger requiring baby food that is in one of the cars. I have also received inquiries from some ambassadors about a student needing insulin stored in his vehicle,” Bošković stated in a video address.

ŽICG announced last night that Kaluđerović refused to engage with the management, asserting that the situation was politically motivated obstruction.

Prosecutor’s Office to Investigate Possible Minority Shareholder Involvement in Work Suspension

The Ministry of Transport reported yesterday that suspicions of certain minority shareholders orchestrating the illegal shutdown are particularly concerning.

“We anticipate that the relevant authorities, primarily the State Prosecutor’s Office, will thoroughly investigate this information and identify all parties responsible for today’s incident and the material damages stemming from the illegal traffic halt,” the department confirmed.

They reiterated that the work stoppage by some ŽICG employees was illegal, resulting in substantial material loss and serious traffic implications. Of significant concern was the fact that the train blockade stopped an international train carrying the belongings of foreign citizens, including passenger vehicles.

The Ministry of Transport has consistently supported the improvement of working conditions for employees, providing an additional 2.5 million euros through budget adjustments to ensure the functionality of ŽICG.

“Despite this, the actions taken by some employees today were executed in an extreme manner, unprecedented in Montenegro. This action reflects the workers’ outright rejection of any opportunity for a dialogue with management and their refusal to engage even with the representative unions, who are legally authorized to negotiate a collective agreement. Additionally, the group’s claims of discrimination relate to events from 2009 to 2019, yet they chose to halt operations in 2025—six years later. Notably, they did not stop traffic in 2019, raising further questions regarding their motives for today’s work disruption,” the Ministry of Transport concluded.

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