ZET and Zagrebački holding workers return to work after strike ruled illegal

Workers at Zagrebački holding and ZET have returned to work following a decision by the Zagreb County Court declaring their recent strike illegal. Mumin Hodžić, president of the Union of Municipal Workers and Drivers, stated that the union will appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court, emphasizing that the strike was driven solely by workers rather than political interests.

The dispute stems from expired collective agreements. While an agreement for Zagrebački holding has been extended until the end of the year, ZET lacks such an arrangement. Damir Bakić, Vice President of the Možemo parliamentary club, noted that negotiations for a new collective agreement are necessary.

Legal expert Viktor Gotovac described the strike as one of the most significant in Croatia in recent decades due to its ability to halt city services. While the city administration managed the public relations aspect of the crisis effectively, Gotovac suggested that the legal outcome for the unions may be difficult, though he noted that employers might hesitate to use extreme sanctions against the large number of workers involved.