No Strikes in Latvia

From a Times feature on the Latvian economy:

In contrast to much of Europe, Latvia today has no tradition of labor activism. “What can you achieve in the street? It is cold and snowing,” said Peteris Krigers, president of the Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia. Organizing strikes, he said, is nearly impossible. “It is seen as shameful for people who earn any salary, no matter how small, to go on strike.”

Suddenly, it all makes sense; people are always going on strike in Greece and Spain because it's warm and sunny out, and much more fun to walk around with a protest sign! If it were colder and snowier, they would stay home and mind their own business. . . .