Romanian subway unionists to restart strike on March 18

The Bucharest subway unionists have announced that will restart the general strike on March 18.

According to the strike program the subway trains will not be operational between 4 a.m. and 4 p.m. on March 18 and normal traffic will be resumed from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., as the law requires subway staff to ensure a third of normal activity during a general strike.

Subway employees went on strike last year as well demanding wage raises of 20 percent and a new collective work contract. They were forced to go back to work when a Bucharest court ruled it illegal. Ioan Radoi, president of the subway unionists said they request raises of 3.7 percent and better working conditions. According to the stet budget law, the salary fund can be increased with 3.7 percent for every company which doesn’t register debts to the state.

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The Bucharest Appeal Court issued a final and irrevocable ruling last week stating the subway employees’ two-day subway strike in November last year was legal, which means they may resume their protests anytime. About 650,000 citizens were affected by the Metrorex employee’s protests.