Romanian Union Federations To Protest Outside Parl HQ June 8-15

Marius Petcu, head of the "Fratia" union confederation, said after talks with the four other federation leaders Thursday that unionists' protests will continue throughout the upcoming weeks.

According to Petcu, 3,000 unionists will protest outside Parliament headquarters Monday and will block the five entrances to the building when Prime Minister Emil Boc arrives for the confidence vote procedures.

Some 1,500-2,000 unionists will continue to rally outside Parliament Tuesday and Wednesday. Pickets will be held Thursday through Saturday in front of the lawmakers' offices. Petcu added that 20,000 unionists will form a human chain around the Parliament building on June 15, the estimated date of the no-confidence motion vote.

Petcu said union members will post photographs of lawmakers countrywide, accompanied by a text urging them to vote in favor of the no-confidence motion.

The leader of the "Cartel Alfa" union federation, Bogdan Hossu, said that unionists in all work sectors will go on a full-blown strike on the day of the vote.

Romania's Government adopted Sunday evening the two draft laws which make up its austerity plan, involving cutbacks of public sector wages, pensions and social welfare benefits. The Government will seek a confidence vote in Parliament for the two laws.

According to Romania's Constitution, The Government can be dismissed if a Parliament approves a no-confidence motion submitted within three days of a confidence vote. If the Government is not dismissed, the draft law is officially adopted and the Government must assume full responsibility for enforcing it.

Social Democratic Party spokesman Radu Moldovan told MEDIAFAX Wednesday Romania's opposition social democrats will file two no-confidence motions Monday, as the Government will seek two confidence votes.

Education and public administration unionists went on strike on May 31, and were supported by healthcare, penitentiary and private sector employees, who held a two-day sympathy strike.

Public administration, healthcare and penitentiary unionists called off the general strike Wednesday, but said they would take part in the protests staged by Romania's five union federations. Education unionists are the only ones who have decided to maintain the strike, and are willing to go as far as to freeze the school year.

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