Trade unionists of Bucharest subway operator Metrorex are protesting for higher salaries

The president of the USLM union, Ion Radoi, said 2,000 Metrorex employees are expected at the protest, which takes place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. They will continue with a march to the Public Finance Ministry (MFP).

The employees are unsatisfied that their collective labor contract runs out on November 1 and the income and spendings budget for 2009 was net yet approved. 

Radoi mentioned he demands a salary increase within the new collective labor contract taking into account the leu's depreciation versus the euro and the inflation. 

According to the reference exchange rates posted by the central lender BNR, the national currency declined 15.34 percent versus the euro from November 3 2008 to October 1 2009, from 3.6844 to 4.2495 lei per euro. 

The official said negotiations for the salary raise will stand around 20 percent. 

The last salary increase for the Metrorex employees was of 23 percent in November last year. The average wage at Metrorex stands near 1,500 – 1,600 lei.