Romanian Subway Employees To Continue Protests, Say Govt Ignores Them

A delegation led by union leader Ion Radoi asked to talk with the prime minister or the transport minister, but unionists were left to wait for about 45 minutes and then were told the Government meeting had started, so no one was available for talks.

Radoi said he is displeased by the politicians’ attitude and subway unionists started booing. Radoi said subway unionists will continue the protests calendar and will go on a warning strike on Thursday, followed by a general strike next week.

According to Berceanu, the Government will approve Wednesday the revenue and expenses budget for 2009 of state-owned subway company Metrorex.

Berceanu said no talks on wage increases can start unless revenue and expenses budget is approved.

„Subway employees want wage raises every year. They stay underground and they don’t want to see realities outside. Their wages increased by 23% in 2008, and by 26% in 2009, which is a 50% overall increase. I can no longer take into account any wage raise,” Berceanu said during the inauguration of the bypass road in Adunatii Copaceni, Giurgiu county, southern Romania.