Budapest - Talks between Hungarian State Railways (MAV) and the country's largest railworkers' union failed to break a deadlock Wednesday morning, as a national rail strike entered its fourth day.

Once again, railway stations across the country were empty. Two of Budapest's three major stations had cancelled all morning departures. Passengers willing to take a chance on rail travel were warned to be prepared for significant delays or cancellations.

"The position of the employer remains that there is no collateral to meet the union's demands, which in any case are unlawful," MAV press officer Imre Kovalecz told local news agency MTI after the meeting.

"MAV does not care that the trains are not running," said Balazs Barany, deputy president of the Rail Workers' Free Trade Union (VDSZSZ). He added that with the money lost through three days of industrial action, MAV could have met all of the striking workers' demands.

The union is demanding a one-off payment of 250,000 forints (934 euros) to all MAV employees from the proceeds of the privatization of MAV Cargo, a freight wing that was recently spun off from the loss- making state-owned rail firm. The union also wants a backdated, ten per cent pay rise for subcontracted workers. (dpa)