The conflict between the management and the trade union broke out last week, when the management cancelled one of the oldest contracts in Slovenia, dating back to 1991, due to a conflict over annual leave.

The head of the SKEI metal industry union, Lidija Jerkič, said last week the management had proposed cutting holidays by four to five days, but the union rejected it, proposing cutting it by two days.

Jerkič said that by cancelling the collective bargaining agreement as a result, the management had shown it was unable to engage in social dialogue.

Unionists demanded the management revoke the decision, but they have not received an answer yet, Zeba said, and added that he expected the management to revoke it by mid-February.

Until then, the union will continue to collect signatures in support of the potential strike, but Zeba said today that more than 95% of employees supported industrial action. Trade unionists at Gorenje will meet on 21 February to discuss further steps.

Meanwhile, the management of Gorenje will meet to discuss the situation on Monday, corporate communication officer Denis Oštir told the STA.