Strike at Peugeot Citroen staved off by last-minute deal

The planned strike at PSA Peugeot Citroen Slovakia's car plant in Trnava on Monday (June 29) has not taken place after all due to the plant and trade union striking a deal at noon on Friday. The agreement rounded off talks spanning several months on a new addendum to the collective agreement for 2015. The deal was announced by the plant's director Rémi Girardon, OZ KOVO trade union chief Emil Machyna and the plant's trade union head Milan Minarech. The trade union has secured a pay rise for the plant's staff in 2016 - a monthly increase of €30 in fixed-scale salaries and another €15 in a monthly bonus. A quarterly bonus of €75 will also be paid out, but will be paid based on the plant's financial results. As early as this July staff will receive a one-off bonus of €450. Machyna said that the trade union is happy because the deal effectively tops their request for a pay rise of €60 by an additional €10 if the bonuses are considered. "Given the plant's results and prospects, I'm not worried about the quarterly bonus of €75", said Machyna. Girardon called the agreement an intelligent compromise that takes account of the plant's future and competitiveness.