PLANNED BUS WORKERS STRIKE THREATENS GSM CONGRESS

By Prince Osuagwu
IF the officials of the GSM Association, GSMA, did not make a head way in their meeting with the metro and bus workers from TMB, the main public transport operator in the metropolitan area of Barcelona, participants at this year's Mobile World Congress holding in Barcelona Spain, 27th February through 1st March 2012, may have a long trek to and from the venue of the event.

This is as the bus workers have announced plans to strike during Mobile World Congress

However, the GSMA, has senior executives in Barcelona and they have been meeting regularly with government officials from the City of Barcelona, Catalonia Regional Government, Spanish Ministry of Industry, the Fira and the various police authorities since the strike was first announced.

GSMA however announced that in the event the parties do not reach agreement, comprehensive contingency plans are in place to ensure that all participants of the Mobile World Congress have unfettered access to and from the Fira during all days of the event.

'We will announce the details of those contingency plans as necessary should the strike take place. The GSMA remains confident that the issues will be resolved and that there will be little, if any, impact to the Mobile World Congress'.

It was gathered that Barcelona government has offered the GSMA strong assurances that Mobile World Congress attendees will not be affected and all participants will be able to arrive and depart the event safely and without disruption.