Скачать или смотреть Transport strike in protest at health and pension reforms

(16 Jun 2011) SHOTLIST
1. High wide shot of protesters marching UPSOUND: horns, whistles, shouting
2. Protesters carrying flags and banners
3. Various of protesters marching
4. Man blowing horn
6. SOUNDBITE (Czech) Jaroslav Matejicek, Prague Railway Worker: ++AUDIO AS INCOMING++
"It certainly could change something. It was not that long ago a four-day strike changed things."
7. Wide of closed metro station
8. Tilt down of closed door at metro station
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Jansorosoav Novak, 57-year-old architect from Prague:
"My needs are the public services to work. That's what I want, that's what I supposed, that the public services are going to function, are going to work."
10. Wide of tram passing on street, pulling into stop
11. Commuters and tram
12. Commuters walking, cyclist passing on street
13. Wide of bicycle commuters standing next to bikes
14. SOUNDBITE (Czech) Robert Riedl, Bike Commuter:
"I think it is really wonderful. What we need in Prague is for people to try to get to work by bicycle. Who knows, maybe we won't need the trams anymore."
15. Wide shot of protesters marching with wheelbarrows and bales of hay
STORYLINE
Transport workers took to the streets of the Czech Republic on Thursday to protest against proposed government reforms.
Prague's subway network and trains across the country ground to a halt after transport workers went on strike.
Other forms of public transport in major cities were also affected by the one-day walkout.
Railway worker Jaroslav Matejicek, who joined a protest march of hundreds of trade unionists in Prague, said he hoped the strike could "change something."
"It was not that long ago a four-day strike changed things," he said, referring to a 1997 strike that resulted in the government making concessions, but ultimately led to its collapse by the end of the year.
This time though, Prime Minister Petr Necas has repeatedly said the government was not ready to give in.
Transport unionists claim pension and health care reforms being discussed by parliament were unjust and would harm a majority of Czechs.
Many Czechs opted to take the day off while others walked to work, or rode bicycles.
Robert Riedl who usually commutes to work by bicycle had to share the road with more riders on Thursday, but he saw no problems.
"I think it is really wonderful," he said. "What we need in Prague is for people to try to get to work by bicycle. Who knows maybe we won't need the trams anymore."

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