Russian air traffic controllers still on hunger strike

Air traffic controllers in 24 airports around Russia have been on hunger strike since December 21st, the day when the strike was declared by the Federation of Trade Unions of Air Traffic Controllers. Employees of an airport in Novosibirsk, a large scientific and industrial center in Siberia, joined the strike on Monday.

The strikers demand a 100%-increase in wages and the preservation of professional social privileges.

So far, the transport ministry has only agreed to raise air traffic controllers' wages by 16% beginning January 1st. The strikers, however, say this will be an ordinary indexation of the wages and not a wage raise, and refuse to negotiate with transport ministry officials until their demands are fully met.