Most of Poland’s rail services will come to a standstill on Friday from 7am to 9am as the railway trade unions will stage a nationwide warning strike in protest against benefit cuts.

In August 2012 the authorities of state railway companies PKP announced plans to tighten the ticket discount policy towards retired and active rail employees in order to save some PLN 27 million. Trade unionists organized a referendum in which 95 percent of the staff supported the strike.

Transport Minister Slawomir Nowak on Wednesday asked railway trade unionists to call off the strike or to hold it when it is not so painful for passengers.

Transport Minister Slawomir Nowak has appealed to trade unionists to call off the strike or to hold it, saying passengers will be the only ones to suffer.

"Friday will probably be one of the coldest days this year. Additionally, schools break up for winter holidays in some regions Nowak wrote in a letter sent to the unionists.