From June 1st, 2010, between 12.00-14.00, the five major trade union confederations in Romania: National Trade Union Confederation „Cartel ALFA”, the National Confederation of Free Trade Unions of Romania – FRATIA, the Democratic Trade Union Confederation of Romania, The National Trade Union Bloc and the National Trade Union Confederation "Meridian, have organized protests across the all country.
On June 1st, the series of protests was opened by the following counties: Alba, Arges, Bacau, Botosani, Buzau, Calarasi, Dambovita, Dolj, Galati, Iasi, Mures and Timis. Over 14,000 trade unionists participated in these protests.
On June 2nd, the protests of trade union members were organized in the following counties: Gorj, Cluj, Constanta and Covasna. At the demonstration in front of Cluj Prefecture it was planned to participate 10,000 trade union members, but the representatives of the city hall refused to allow the demonstration, so the action was attended by only 2,500 trade unionists from all five confederations. The rest of trade unionists were intimidated by the authorities and they did not participate in the protest any more.
Thursday, on June 3rd, there were demonstrations in front of the following counties’ Prefectures: Arad, Brasov, Caras Severin, Harghita, Hunedoara, Prahova, Ialomita, Neamt, Maramures, Mehedinti, Olt, Satu Mare and Sibiu. Over 10,000 trade unionists participated in all these actions.
On June 4th, the demonstrations of the trade union members have been held in the following counties: Salaj, Suceava, Teleorman, Tulcea, Vaslui, Valcea, Vrancea. Over 5,000 trade unionists have participated in these protests.
The civil society has proved its maturity participating in these demonstrations which show that trade unionists and people, in general, oppose to the dictatorial mentality and refuse to accept the austerity measures approved by the Government which throw the country into poverty. The Government measures, so-called of economic recovery, affect only the workers, ordinary people and especially pensioners who have worked a lifetime for the pension on which the government wants to reduce by 15%.
The protests are the democratic way by which people express their point of view in case that the government denies any real dialogue with the trade unions.
