Transport Minister Oleg Butkovic commented on Thursday on the possibility of a strike in the state-owned flag carrier Croatia Airlines.

“If the strike in Croatia Airlines happens, the ones who are calling for it must be aware that it would be a very bad move for Croatia Airlines,” Butkovic said.

As N1 learned on Tuesday, the strike became a possibility after the negotiations between the management board and the company’s workers’ union fell through.

No official announcement about the strike came from the union yet.

“We are in the middle of the tourist season, and the company has 9 percent more traffic compared to last year. That would be such a business move that I do not know how Croatia Airlines would recover from it,” Butkovic said.

When asked whether Croatia Airlines can survive a strike, Butkovic clearly said: “No.”

The workers are demanding higher wages, an extended collective agreement and less overtime work.

Follow N1 via mobile apps for Android | iPhone/iPad | Windows| and social media on Twitter | Facebook.