VIDEO: "This is blackmail, this is not a strike," says Deputy Mayor

Yerevan's Deputy Mayor Suren Grigoryan addressed the bus drivers' refusal to operate today, stating that the real reason behind their actions is the changes implemented by the city hall, which means citizens no longer pay cash to the drivers.

Grigoryan apologized to the public for the inconveniences caused. He pointed out that no one promised the transition to reforms would be easy. “We are going to see this process through to the end, we will not succumb to blackmail. It is referred to as a ‘strike’, but I ask you not to use that term, because a strike is a legal process in which workers raise questions about their rights. This is blackmail, this is not a strike,” said Grigoryan, noting that under the law, those who wish to strike must give a 14-day notice, which the drivers have not done.