The major labor union at Czech car manufacturer Skoda Auto planned a warning strike this week to demand wage increases as pay talks were inconclusive, a union official said.

Between 7,000 and 12,000 workers were expected to take part in the one-hour strike Wednesday, said Jaromir Cvrcek, a spokesman for Skoda's KOVO union. He said workers were ready to go on a one-day or three-day strike if their demands were not met.

The work stoppages Wednesday were to be held at Skoda's three plants in Mlada Boleslav, 40 kilometers (25 miles) northeast of Prague, Vrchlabi, 80 kilometers (50 miles) northeast of Prague and Kvasiny, 120 kilometers (75 miles) east of Prague, Cvrcek said.

Skoda Auto, a unit of German manufacturer Volkswagen AG, is the country's largest and most profitable exporter. It sold 451,675 cars of its three models, Fabia, Octavia and Superb, in some 90 countries in 2004.

Skoda's union demanded a 10 percent wage increase, Cvrcek said. Skoda was originally seeking a 15-month wage freeze, which Cvrcek called "unacceptable." He said the union was still not satisfied with Skoda's latest offer but he would not reveal details.

Skoda would not say what increase was offered to some 24,000 workers in its plants, spokesman Jaroslav Cerny said. He said the management hoped to complete negotiations about the increase by March 31 so it could become effective April 1.

Src:

http://www.forbes.com/home/feeds/ap/2005/03/29/ap1910918.html

Oh dear.Who has a car on order

Thats not bad figures though. Nearly 1/2 million cars

That Cant Be Good!