The gas industry trade union POZ has declared a strike alert over the ongoing redundancies being made in gas distribution company SPP-Distribucia of parent company SPP.
The management of the subsidiary wants to release another one hundred employees, but the trade unionists say the downsizing could even affect the safety of the distribution network as many of those being released are responsible for caring for it. “This status is absolutely unbearable, because there is a danger that care of gas facilities will worsen” today’s daily Pravda cites chairman of the gas trade union POZ, Peter Kováč.
The trade union is prohibited by law from going on strike, though, so for now public protests are being prepared if the situation does not change. The company argues that those being let go have mostly agreed to it, making use of the various redundancy benefits from the Collective Agreement, according to company spokeswoman Ivana Zelizňáková.
Around 1,500 employees work for SPP – distribúcia at present, almost half of what it was before the company was privatised exactly ten years ago. Last year alone some 400 employees were made redundant, even though the company generated a profit of EUR 112 million in 2011.
“The most serious problem, though, is that instead of us developing the company, we are in this way – by constant slimming down – reaching a state of anorexia. For this reason from today we have declared a strike alert. We are convinced that SPP-distribúcia, a.s., which registered more than EUR 180 million in profit last year, is not dependent on making savings by releasing employees, who in the end could be required” declared POZ chairman Kovac.
My god soon you two will be sitting round the camp fire, roastin nuts and grilling your sausages singing ging gang gooly ….
Well actually all my comments are moderated, some are blocked or censored, I guess that is JB`s right, I just dont whine on about it like you do Loghead.
Just a point, yes the Czechland is a different place to live …notdumcluck Slovaks to listen too .
Losgar, you jump to a lot of conclusions. Your comments were not blocked in any way. Not sure what you mean about thedaily.cz either. Another point, George M is not blocked. I thought he might have something to say for himself, but I guess not.
The first one is still blocked saying: Your comment is awaiting moderation.
Why is that?
Why do you call that guy George M? Why not Lady Gaga or The Big Guy at the back?
I guess he has some dignity after all and he is just ashamed right now.
Why did you cancel the Recent comment section at the Czech web site? I’ll apreciate your advice 😀
call him what you want. Registered users have their comments posted automatically unless they are put on a blacklist, but for some reason some of your comments were showing as an unregistered user. No idea why. We have not cancelled the recent comments on TheDaily.cz. There have been none. TheDailyCz is awaiting a relaunch soon.
I see nothing has changed whilst I have been away enjoying the company of my Slovak friends and the wonders of this beautiful country.
LOSGAR – fantasty policeman, supposedly now resident in that other bastion of liberal free thinking the PR of China. I didn’t know the Sk exported village idiots.
I presume your English “gentleman” friend is called Tarquin and lectures in soft furnishings and you find him such a wonderful guy because he pulls down your night dress when he has finished with you.
Its about time all your non comments were redirected to the childrens page, preferably of another paper. You make little or no attempt to make relevant comments on the articles presented and seem to think it clever to insult all and sundry yet get in a huff when you feel insulted yourself. So you can now process my comments above, find a quiet corner and have a tantrum.
JB, I’ve just apologized, I think you can unblock my commentary/apology/explanation letter.
Thanks!!
DC, I apologize for insulting you several times. Most of the times I didn’t mean it. I’m really sorry!!
I feel I have to explain myself a bit: You were taking sides of that schizophrenical maniac, even you encouraged him or “patted” him on back and I just wanted to divide you two. Divide and destroy still works.
Remember how sure you were that Lady Gaga wasn’t him? Well it turned out it almost definetely was him.
Although I don’t agree with you about many things I would normally never attack you as I did.
After 2 months of fighting on this web site I even feel that it affected my normal life so I’m more then relieved to end it now.
Today I checked the czech http://www.daily.cz and guess what? The commentary part is totally cancelled. I can only guess that the Czechs put up a good fight and eventually won. Good for them!!
About my contributions to the commentary site: I mostly agree with the things and facts that are stated in the articles here, 90% of them are copies of the articles from all SVK newspapers so I don’t feel like adding anything. Of course I have my own opinion I just don’t feel like taking guesses or repeating what was already said or what is obvious.
Allow me be pathetic one last time: The greater enemy was destroyed and I shall not return before Morgoth rises again. In the end the ships will be rebuilt and Feanor’s sons will get their revenge.
“Nothing’s forgotten…nothing’s ever forgotten.”
Read more: Gas Distributor on Strike Alert, But Cannot Strike | The Daily News – Slovakia https://www.thedaily.sk/2012/04/26/top-news/gas-distributor-on-strike-alert-but-cannot-strike/#ixzz1uTiNenau
Apology accepted and I apologies unreservedly if any of my comments have caused you offence.
You quote Tolkien! He lived with his wife in my home village of Roos for a short time during the First World War. Many believe his subsequent maps of Middle Earth are based on the village and surrounding countryside.
DC: Accepted!! No problem.
If your village looks like Middle Earth/New Zealand – congratulations!! Cheers!!
JB: Got it, thanks!! Looks like the foreigners in the Czech Republic are having a good time. No time for commenting.
A tip: Maybe you can put on the home page a link through which it would be easy to go to the other web site.
When I lived in Prague many foreigners were talking about going to SVK to travel – so some travelling infomation about Slovakia could be helpful for them. And for SVK. The summer is coming…
DC, I apologize for insulting you several times. Most of the times I didn’t mean it. I’m really sorry!!
I feel I have to explain myself a bit: You were taking sides of that schizophrenical maniac, even you encouraged him or “patted” him on back and I just wanted to divide you two. Divide and destroy still works.
Remember how sure you were that Lady Gaga wasn’t him? Well it turned out it almost definetely was him.
Although I don’t agree with you about many things I would normally never attack you as I did.
After 2 months of fighting on this web site I even feel that it affected my normal life so I’m more then relieved to end it now.
Today I checked the czech http://www.daily.cz and guess what? The commentary part is totally cancelled. I can only guess that the Czechs put up a good fight and eventually won. Good for them!!
About my contributions to the commentary site: I mostly agree with the things and facts that are stated in the articles here, 90% of them are copies of the articles from all SVK newspapers so I don’t feel like adding anything. Of course I have my own opinion I just don’t feel like taking guesses or repeating what was already said or what is obvious.
Allow me be pathetic one last time: The greater enemy was destroyed and I shall not return before Morgoth rises again. In the end the ships will be rebuilt and Feanor’s sons will get their revenge.
“Nothing’s forgotten…nothing’s ever forgotten.”
I guess I know why my commentary had been blocked – because of the web site address…
This the rest of my apology/explanation letter:
Today I checked the Czech Daily news and guess what? The commentary part is totally cancelled. I can only guess that the Czechs put up a good fight and eventually won. Good for them!!
About my contributions to the commentary site: I mostly agree with the things and facts that are stated in the articles here, 90% of them are copies of the articles from all SVK newspapers so I don’t feel like adding anything. Of course I have my own opinion I just don’t feel like taking guesses or repeating what was already said or what is obvious.
Allow me be pathetic one last time: The greater enemy was destroyed and I shall not return before Morgoth rises again. In the end the ships will be rebuilt and Feanor’s sons will get their revenge.
“Nothing’s forgotten…nothing’s ever forgotten.”
~~~ Didn’t you say a month or two ago: “Everybody lies on the internet”? ~~~
The irony of that statement would be utterly lost on you Mr Space Cadet, or is it still Police Cadet Pan Loghead ?
Support ?? Blimmy I have been a lone voice of Truth for yearsabout dumbcluck Slovaks ..yes , even your sister, mum and the bloke across the street.
The fact is, Slovaks as a race are, in general are not a very nice people …you don`t have to believe me , read The Daily each day !
Dave mate, the word your looking for to cover Loghead is spelt as a P-R-I-C-K . Why bother spend hours explaining to a growth, that has no visible nuts ?
Now I live in China ….and I need a passport to get into my world Mr Lying Losgar.
YOU are the biggest lier on Daily news. Didn’t you say a month or two ago: “Everybody lies on the internet”?
The right spelling for you is a P-A-R-I-A-H and P-A-R-A-S-I-T-E
You are right about Dave – he is your mate. Keep calling him to come and support your lies, poisonous spit.
DC I must says I would feel very uncomfortable having you any close around me. You keep changing your mind, like last time with the Dog hunting article.
I’m sure that calling whole nation names is much worse then calling one person what he deserves to be called. You are like the husband/wife who keeps saying: …you always.., you never…, …every time… That makes other people very nervous and it’s very discouraging to have a conversation.
Now once and for all: I don’t live in SVK, I live in China /please don’t you ever go anywhere futher east from the place where you are now – you wouldn’t be able to handle it/.
In the article when I wrote I was a policeman I was been ironic. People took it for granted and then I took a cheap shot at George. Well it just happened. Apart of that I never lied!!
Cooling you down guys is my project till the end of June. Then you can go nuts, I won’t care. But once again: You call my people names I might use some expressions you might not like.
Anyway: I must say you and George have pretty thick hippo skin. If someone gave me the names I gave you two I don’t think I would talk to that guy anymore. Well your treshold of personal dignity is a bit dislocated, means you are used to it, it happened to you before. No surprise.
My best English friend here in China is a great man, real English gentleman. I never met a man like him. You two are very different people…
Ah Losgar. I rub you up the wrong way – shame on me! Let us deal with your latest diatribe.
Name calling – that my friend, after checking back on some of your more colourful comments, appears to be your forte.
Complaining – Its a well tried and tested method of effecting change, standing up for your democratic rights and in my case a genuine effort to stimulate some genuine debate on the issues raised by the articles. I could just post comments extolling the many virtues of this country and its people but there seems to be little point in highlighting the good things when there are so many bad things, the subject matter of the articles tend to prompt negative comments, however, if you care to check back, I have expressed my praise, admiration etc on a number of occaisions.
“calling an entire Nation stupid or useless” – Don’t know where you get that from. I have a Slovak family, many Slovak friends and acquaintances, and meet decent, honest, friendly, intelligent Slovaks every day, however, like in any other country, I also have to put up with Slovaks who have non of those qualities.
” In the UK this, We don’t do that, etc” – you posted a banal comment ” I am sure that in the UK ……….” to my reply to Robot. So I provided you with a brief and incomplete expaination of just what powers and rights the average UK resident ( Note: Resident not National ) has, then you berate me for doing so.
I, George M and other expats will tell you openly that the UK is not utopia. As a Nation we suffer from many of the same ills that the SK does, bent politicians, corruption, problems with law and order, social decline, drugs etc.
“Ignorant” – Hummmm….. I recall, even though you claim to be a police officer, that you questioned my knowledge regarding the prevalence of illegal firearms in the SK and when I quoted an international report on the subject you responded with a bland attempt at humour suggesting the Swiss should come and count wooden forks. I am ignorant of many things but when I ask a question and receive a reply I have the grace and the manners to say thank you.
As for how a foreigner who complains would be received in the UK ( Your question) – Firstly, we don’t tend to refer to people as foreigners, the UK population is made up of people from every country, race and religion under the sun. Irrespective of nationality or status, your legitimate complaint(s) would be dealt with by the appropriate authority, you would obtain resoltion within the statutory time limit. In addition, because the UK honours the EU treaty, as an EU citizen if you have any enquiry, complaint etc of any National government, Local government, Tax office,the Police, Health Service, Job Centre or Social Benefits Agency etc, all the required forms, explanitory notes etc, will be provide in your mother tongue or an interpreter will be provided at no cost . As for name calling, we’re a bit more thick skinned than you but in general if your assessment of an individual or organisation warrants name calling you will find that those in agreement will join you.
I’m a spoilt brat – I was the youngest of four, wore hand me downs, had one pair of decent shoes, we grew most of our own vegs and kept chickens and pigs. I held down three part-time jobs to pay my way through uni. I joined the army as a GRUNT and got to be an officer by hard work – not family connections. I didn’t feel spoilt freezing my nuts off in the snow, wading through snake infested jungles or roasting in the desert, especially when the locals insisted on trying to shoot me or blow my legs off. When I started my own business I often worked 12-18 hours a day and most weekends and looked after both my elderly parents. I started near the bottom in industry but worked my way up. Paid for my second degree. Now in the SK, I work every day, still grow my own vegs and I am working on the chickens. I have worked hard all my life for what I have now, – no steps up, no family influence, and I am sorry if my desire of others to follow my example offends you.
Oh Loghead, suddenly so , so, so, sensitive . BTW One day you are a Expat, then a Policeman , then something else ???….and if you feeling ichy mate , try looking down your pants at the crabs you have crawling in the forest area .
That fact is Slovaks have no respect for others , most of guys are like apes and chimps compared to the rest of normal members of the EU .
The best thing that could happen is if Hungary invaded again, at least they would bring some real culture to the place .
Thanks for the medical advice George Moron!!
I certainly appreciate your personal experience.
We do respect others, I read an article about an American man who discribed Slovak men as an old fashioned gentlemen. I guess it’s true, we are like that. My wife certainly thinks so. It’s about little details like opening the door for a woman, paying a bill in the restaurant, listening to her when she talks about her daily troubles, etc..
I talked about you with my English best friend and he told me that in the UK some guys are just mean stupid dummies, he apologized to me for you. I told him it was OK, in every country live cretines and it wasn’t his fault.
George, Hungary invided SVK 7 times since 1918 and we are still here. You know why? We are tough, we play fairplay and we don’t betray our friends. You know what I’m talking about Neville Chamberlain?
Last thing: When you cracked that mirror and deducted 100EUR from the bill did you still use the mirror? I bet it’s still hanging in your bathroom.
George, Hungary invaded SVK 7 times since 1918 and we are still here. You know why? We are tough, we play fair-play and we don’t betray our friends. You know what I’m talking about Neville Chamberlain?
Hmmmm; interesting – So glad I was not a Slovak Jew in the 1940’s or a returned pilot / soldier who fought with the western allies. Strange how Slovaks forget their own history!!!
Slovaks do not forget their friend, I guess they don’t and ensure that no good deed goes unpunished. Sold any Jews lately?
Anyway, I do not recall hearing of any Hungarian invasions in the past 20 odd years or even between 1939-45, or was there a Slovak Independent state in existence that I do not know of ?
Does anyone understand a single point that Fergus is trying to make?….your rambling on in jibberish man !
It was my understanding, that Slovakia had happily joined the German Nazi`s in 1938/9 and watched in glee and were cheering the storm troupers as they marched through the Bratislava streets ?…and we ( team GB) actually went to war over our promise to Poland and when Hitler invaded them in`39. So what the hell are you whittering on about here ?
Fergus – History not your strong point then?
Dave ……just love the `sticky out ears ` comment , so 10/10 for observation ! At last another person awake in the country .
~~~As for `Do you know of any Slovak manager who has put his/her hands up and accepted responsibily for any failings in his/her area of responsibility? ~~~
Nothing is EVER a Slovaks fault , it is always someone else at fault, not them, that person over there …it is like they were born with this lie in their genes .
I was had a glass bathroom mirror travel from a van to the bathroom, and it cracked ….two Slovak men where involved, but neither of them was even involved in moving it , it was someone else …but neither could say who ? It was even quite funny watching them lie, with a straight face and even better when I deducted the 100 euro from their invoice ..three times the cost of course !!!
Yea right Robot , like reporting anything `high up` has any effect in Slovakia as a foreigner . Ask Tom `Gorilla` Nicholson ?
Moaning on this site, yes a lot easier, but at least it making people aware and that is part of taking any social responsibility?
Mind you, if you also listen the cretins on this website, that just have to appear to balance the view …you could start to believe that the vast majority of Slovaks are lovely, fair and trustworthy people and we should all thank them for living in this land of milk and honey . awh ….and then I woke up !
Hi Dave,
Why don’t you take some action then, if you report this high enough up then someone will eventually be shamed into taking action. I guess you’d rather just moan on this site, it’s a lot easier, isn’t it than taking any social responsibility?
It seems you have a very similar attitude to the one you and others on this site seem to ascribe to the average Slovak man in the street (lack of initiative, propensity to moan but then take no action over the problem).
Robot – Both situations I outlined have been reported to a higher authority by Slovaks and both of them basically got laughed at by those to whom they reported the matters to. I presume because those in authority were running similar scams.
As for a foriegner reporting anything in this country – wake up! Slovak Nationals can’t. Did you know many Government workers have it in their contracts that no matter what they witness they are not allowed to report it. People who have blown the whistle have ended up jobless while those they reported carry on with their nefarious schemes. It doesn’t look good on a managers CV if, as the result of taking action on workers complaints, illegal activities are uncovered. Its far easier for them to keep their eyes closed and their mouths shut.
My last point, which will no doubt attract a storm of protest, – I have been here only three years. During that time I have seen endless examples of non-jobs, waste, dodgy dealing, cronyism and nepotism. Do I presume that you Sks just close your eyes to this? or is your suggestion that because I am a foriegner I should stand in the firing line and take the heat for highlighting the failings I have witnessed, while you lot do nothing. The ever deepening hole that Slovakia is in was dug by Slovaks. Maybe if some of you pick up a shovel and help fill it in, some of us foreigners will help.
Dave Crawford, for the troubles with your gas meter please send your complains to Enel, the Italian major owner of SPP.
Just write to them that you feel that sending only one worker next time will be sufficient and please don’t forget to suggest them how the whole company should work.
I am sure that in the UK it’s normal that ordinary people suggest big companies to suck their employees.
I wonder how a foreigner, like yourself, has such insight. Or is it just a blah blah talk? I wonder: Were you always so clever or you took some training? 😀
I am sure ENEL would be interested in what happens in their business here in the SK but you obviously can’t or won’t grasp how things actually work in your wonderful country. ENEL would ask the SK management whats going on, they are not going to report back ” Oh Yes the foreigner was right” because that would domonstrate that they are not doing their jobs properly – Question – Do you know of any Slovak manager who has put his/her hands up and accepted responsibily for any failings in his/her area of responsibility?
As for what happens in the UK, or Germany, or France, or the USA etc. Yes it is normal for ordinary citizens to complain and make suggestions for improvements in service. The mechanisms are simple, in most cases a legal requirement and backed up by a broad range of “Watchdogs”, Consumer Advice Groups and statutory Public Oversight Authorities that ensure action is taken where appropriate.
As a foreigner have such insight because, unlike you, I have travelled well outside my village and experienced living in a number of countries around the world and that enables me to draw comparisions between what I have seen.
No you don’t need special training or a “Diplom” You use your eyes and your ears and that grey matter between your sticky out ears. Its called common sense and intelligent reasoning, two skills you and many of your countrymen should aspire to master.
You are full of crap DC.
You are a complainer. That’s all. You will always mumble: …in my country it’s like this,.. people in the UK do this, …we never do that, …why the SVK people do that?, …I can’t stand this and that…
You know what: You are just making yourself feel better that you are more clever and honest person than the rest of the world. That makes you feel special. I guess it’s OK, whatever works for you.
Just one last thing: I would never ever call a whole nation stupid or useless. There is no such nation in the world. You can come to my country and try to make the best out of it but if you start giving my friends, my family names well it makes me a bit ichy.
Therefor let me say this: You are an ignorant fool, spoiled brat who knows very little about the world and has very little respect for others.
What would you say if I came to the UK and kept calling your people names? Probably you would recommend me to go home, wouldn’t you?
50% reduction in staff and it still functions – that says it all. Still room for more non job trimming though – it took 4 herberts, 1 working, 3 standing chatting to change our gas meter!
Most, if not all, state institutions are grossly over staffed and poorly managed. A State Forestry worker has been clocking on at his supposed employment for the last 7 years and parks his company vehicle behind his shop and sits there all day until clocking off time and then drives back – He actually brags about it and explains that he gets away with it because his boss has been doing the same thing for even longer.
If anyone thinks that’s bad – try this for a cushy State job. A minister in Bobby no Mates last government contracted the majority of this departments work out to one of his ” associates”, although a number of offices closed and staffing was reduced some still remain. The situation a year ago was the staff enjoying 12 weeks a year with no work at all – they take it in turns to cover the office phones. 8 weeks of 4.5 -6 hours work a day shared amongst 7 staff and 9 – 12 hours of shared work, a day, for the rest of the year. They get all the employment benefits – meal vouchers, paid leave, bank holidays, insurances etc. One was running her own business from the State office – she got the sack, but only because the others were jealous of her enterprise. They often “do their 45 minutes work” and then go home. 3 hour lunch/shopping breaks are the norm. Kids at work during the school holidays – no problem.
And we are all paying for this!
Strange how all Union`s start a fear campagne with the words `Pubic Safety` , when all their job is on the line . All Slovak company in what I would term the Public Services need slimming down ….once these were a job for life, not anymore in Crises times . Normally these Gas company are full of lazy, fat workers just sitting around all day …and in Slovakia sitting and chatting would be their major goal . Time and time again I have passed gas works here and how many men does it take to dig a trench with a small JCB ? One to dig the hole, while the other three/five stand and watch !