Budapest  - Unions called for a temporary end to a two-week strike at Budapest's Ferihegy International Airport, effective 10 pm (2100 GMT) Tuesday, for the benefit of Christmas travellers.

Unions leaders said the strike was being suspended for holidaymakers as well as to facilitate constructive talks with the German-owned operator of Hungary's only major international airport.

The leaders warned of resuming the strike if the management would not take part in negotiations or change its position by January 6. They also repeated a demand for foreign workers to be sent home.

Budapest Airport brought in 38 temporary security staff from Greece a week ago to cover for striking Hungarian workers, in a move that was condemned by Hungarian and European trade unions.

Ground staff struck work on December 10 in an attempt to force Budapest Airport to end a restructuring programme and extend a collective employment contract until a new one was agreed to. Unions also demanded backdated overtime payments, no job cuts before 2010 and no further outsourcing.

The strike, particularly of security personnel, caused chaos and led to dozens of cancelled flights. (dpa)