Czech Unions Stage Mass Protests Against Austerity Measures
• Czech labor unions staged protests and strikes across the country to oppose government spending cuts and tax increases • Unions are demanding more funding for education and healthcare, and oppose proposed pension system changes • Prime Minister Fiala defends cuts as necessary to reduce state debt; unions threaten more protests • 74% of schools closed in the biggest such protest since 1993; workers at companies like Skoda Auto joined • New economic package aims to cut budget deficit through tax hikes and spending cuts; unions fear retirement age changes