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Romanian Healthcare Unionists To Protest If Protocol With Former Govt Isn’t Observed

Romanian healthcare employees could resume protests if the protocol they signed last year with the Health Ministry isn’t observed, but they will make a decision after they meet with Prime Minister Emil Boc and after the state budget is approved, union leader Marius Petcu said Wednesday.
Romanian Healthcare Unionists To Protest If Protocol With Former Govt Isn’t Observed
28 ian. 2009, 12:30, English

 

Petcu, head of the “Sanitas” union, said after a meeting with health minister Ion Bazac that the ministry doesn’t yet have a concrete program, mainly because the 2009 state budget hasn’t yet been approved.
 
The union leader also said that if the budget won’t allow the wage increases demanded and agreed within the protocol signed late last year, protests might be resumed.
 
"At the end of 2008 we called off protests after we signed a protocol with the health minister, in which we required a 10% wage increase and the granting of loyalty and vacation bonuses,” Petcu said.
 
He added there can’t be any talk of freezing wages and the unions’ national council has a meeting Thursday and Friday and will discuss the issues the healthcare system is currently confronted with and decide on future actions in case the protocol isn’t observed.
 
Romanian President Traian Basescu said Tuesday on public radio that he won’t react negatively if the government reaches an agreement with unions and freezes salaries and pensions for six months to use public money to salvage the economy.
 
Three weeks ago, health minister Ion Bazac promised he will try to observe the protocol after the state budget is approved.