Romanian postal workers began a strike on Monday over low wages, as managers assured two million retirees who get their pensions from the post office that they would not be affected by the walkout.
Justifying the dispute, the postal workers’ trade union said by July this year, more than 18,000 out of 21,000 employees would be earning the minimum wage. The union is demanding a net increase of 400 lei in wages and loyalty bonuses.
The union also claimed the company is putting pressure on employees by relocating Bucharest staff to the Cluj logistics hub to fill in for those on strike.
According to the trade unionists, 13 Romanian Post employees were sent from Bucharest to replace those who went on strike today in the Cluj Regional Logistics and Courier HUB.
“Following this decision, the postal workers from the Cluj Regional Logistic and Courier HUB protested and demanded that they leave the premises of the HUB, as they are not employees of this branch of the Romanian National Post Company,” a statement said.
“Postal workers refuse to be manipulated and are determined to strike. We ask the beneficiaries of the postal services…. mainly pensioners… to support us and for authorities to resolve our demands as quickly as possible,” the statement said.
The Romanian Postal Workers’ Union which is affiliated to the National Bank of Romania, claims that “18,000 of the more than 21,000 employees of the Romanian Post Office, regardless of their position and seniority, will earn the minimum wage from July”.
The minimum wage will increase to 3,700 on July 1 which is a net salary of about 2,300 lei (about 460 euros.)
Post office management called the walkout „an artificial conflict” and assured two million pensioners who get their pensions from the post office that they will not be affected by the strike.
