“We regret that collective bargaining has reached the stage of a strike announcement. We are convinced that fair working conditions, employee satisfaction, and the company’s stable operation are not conflicting interests,” said Lucia Saková, chair of the OdLeSK union. Starting this Thursday, thousands of people who commute daily from southern Slovakia to Bratislava for work or school risk being unable to reach the city. The railway workers’ union at Leo Express has announced an indefinite strike that could completely paralyze the commuter route. We’ve covered transportation in Slovakia and possible alternatives in separate articles.
What, Where, and When: Key Details About the Strike
The OdLeSK labor union has called for an indefinite strike at Leo Express Slovensko, set to begin on Thursday, November 12, at 3:30 a.m.
The strike could completely or partially halt train service on the Bratislava–Dunajská Streda–Komárno railway line. Nearly 8,000 passengers use this route daily, primarily to commute to work and school in the capital.
The decision to strike was preceded by a vote among company employees, which showed significant support for the initiative.
What caused the conflict?
The reason for the strike is a dispute over the company’s first-ever collective bargaining agreement. Negotiations between the union and Leo Express management began back in December 2025, but after nearly a year, the parties have still been unable to reach an agreement, even with the help of a mediator.
The union’s main demands are:
- To conclude the first collective bargaining agreement to legally enshrine employees’ rights.
- To increase base salaries.
- To establish clear, fair, and binding rules regarding pay and working conditions.
The union accuses the employer of ignoring dialogue. According to the union, during negotiations, the company unilaterally changed the compensation system without consulting employee representatives.
Leo Express’s Position: “The Demands Threaten Stability”
Leo Express management, in turn, states that the union’s financial demands exceed the company’s economic capabilities. In their view, meeting such conditions could jeopardize the carrier’s long-term stability and job security.
The company believes that responsibility for the escalation of the conflict lies with the leadership of the OdLeSK union, which “chose a strike over compromise.” The carrier also explains that it agreed to a unilateral wage increase so that employees would not suffer as a result of the protracted dispute.
However, the strike was initiated by only one of the two labor unions active at the company. The other union did not join the strike.
How will this affect passengers, and what should they do?
If the strike takes place, passengers on the Bratislava–Komárno line can expect serious problems: from widespread service cancellations to a complete halt in service.
Here’s what the carrier advises: 1️⃣ Stay updated. Leo Express asks passengers to closely monitor the latest information on train schedules on its official website. 2️⃣ Be prepared for changes. The company promises to do everything possible to minimize the impact of the strike, but cannot guarantee that trains will run on schedule. 3️⃣ Look for alternatives. Passengers for whom the trip is critically important are advised to check other options in advance, such as bus routes on aggregator websites like cp.sk.
Although there is still time for negotiations until Thursday, thousands of people whose daily lives depend on this route should prepare for potential difficulties.
