It should be considered a form of public expression of dissatisfaction of the employed in the Police and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and not escalation of the strike, the Unions claim. They wish to show to the government their unity and persistence at demanding implementation of commitments stated in the valid agreements.

At the same time they are trying to resist "attempts of discord between policemen, criminal investigators, police inspectors, and heads of the organisational units", who share too low job valorisation, according to the Unions. The protest rally will be organized next Thursday in Ljubljana.

Inadequate police vehicles will be excluded
The Unions are also predicting intensification of strike activities. Already on Monday they intend to start procedures for determining and excluding technically inadequate equipment which is dangerous for policemen.

Judging by the administrative criteria of age and the number of kilometres covered, approximately 500 police vehicles are unsuitable for use. The Unions intend to exclude from use only the vehicle the use of which is dangerous. Citizens should not feel the consequences, but most likely the response time to less demanding intervention will be longer.
The Unions are announcing another measure as a part of intensification of the strike, directed exclusively against the government, but it has not been disclosed yet.

Negotiations interrupted after less than a week
The known fact is that only this week a negotiator with a mandate from the government was appointed, but the negotiations are on hold, as the representatives of the Ministry of Finance have not approved the strike demands, but demanded that the Police should locate additional funds within material expenses. Policemen consider such answer unacceptable, as they are in dire need of new equipment.

L. L.
Translated by G. K.