A coalition of several trade union organizations has rallied behind a group of 85 train dispatchers, remote control dispatchers (TC), and traffic dispatchers at the Railway Infrastructure Company (ŽICG), who have initiated a permanent work stoppage. This action has halted train operations across Montenegro as of yesterday, in pursuit of higher wages from the company’s management.

Support has been extended by the Railway Transport Union of Montenegro, the Train Drivers’ Union of AD Montekargo, the Unified Union of Railway Transport Workers of Montenegro (ŽPCG), and the Trade Union Organization of Train Drivers.

“We wish to inform the Montenegrin public that we offer our full support to our colleagues at ŽICG—train dispatchers, traffic, and technical dispatchers—in their pursuit of salary increases, which is justified given the highly responsible nature of their work. We urge the Ministry of Transport and the Government of Montenegro to promptly address this issue so that rail services can resume for the benefit of all railway companies,” stated Zoran Dobanović, president of the Railway Transport Union.

The Train Drivers’ Union of AD Montekargo has called for the Ministry of Transport and the Government of Montenegro to join in negotiations promptly.

“We hereby inform the Montenegrin public that we provide our full support to our colleagues at ŽICG, train dispatchers, traffic, and technical dispatchers, in their demands for higher salaries. Considering their challenging working conditions and the significance of their responsibilities, we call on the Ministry of Transport and the Government of Montenegro to participate in negotiations swiftly, so that rail traffic can normalize for the benefit of all railway entities, employees, and the state,” reads a statement from the AD Montekargo Train Drivers’ Union, signed by President Milan Matović.

A group of 85 train dispatchers, remote control dispatchers (TC), and traffic dispatchers from ŽICG officially declared a permanent work stoppage yesterday, disrupting train services nationwide due to demands for higher wages from management. They had previously announced this action two days prior and requested a meeting with ŽICG leaders.

“As one of the two representative unions, we wish to communicate our full support for the ŽICG workers who found it necessary to fight for their rights in this manner, as their demands have been ignored by management for years. Engine drivers, wagon inspectors, and all employees within the Railway Transport of Montenegro support our colleagues, hoping their requests will be fulfilled so that the train dispatchers, TC, and traffic dispatchers receive what they deserve,” declared the statement signed by Milan Usancevic, president of the Unified Union of ŽPCG Workers, and Dejan Žaric, president of the Trade Union of Transport Engine Drivers.

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