More than 400 employees of the Romanian Post Office in Cluj county went on a general strike on Monday, April 1, for an indefinite period, together with their colleagues from all over the country.
Article by Bianca CampeanuApril 1, 2024, 11:53 am
Romanian Post employees want the conclusion of a collective labor agreement, wage increases and the granting of loyalty bonus. Also from today the payment of pensions should start.
More than 80% of Cluj postmen also went on general strike this morning, together with their colleagues from all over the country.
Romanian Post employees are asking the management to conclude a collective labor contract, a procedure postponed since the beginning of this year, salary increases of 400 lei net and the granting of the loyalty bonus according to seniority, from April 1.
Sinka Carolthe president of the Cluj branch of the Romanian Postal Workers Union:
Sinka Carol: It is happening all over the country, where colleagues are not afraid that they have been intimidated not to go on a general strike. We reached the general strike after going through all the legal steps of mediation, warning strike.
It was not possible to conclude a collective labor agreement with all the grievances that the Romanian Post employees want, i.e. the increase of 400 lei to the economy minimum wage for all and the increase in loyalty with the date of April 1 for those who have seniority in the system.
So, today in Cluj county 85% of the subunits are manifesting through a general strike. We do not want to go on a general strike, to suffer the pensioners and customers of the Romanian Post.
We want to be treated seriously, with respect. The general strike is for an indefinite period. People don’t work until our claims are settled.
Reporter: And what does that mean as effects?
Sinka Carol: You realize, we will lose customers, pensioners will suffer… We hope that the relevant ministry, the political class will take urgent measures to be able to resume our activity as soon as possible, because we want to work even after the work done, to be rewarded.
We don’t want to go on a general strike, we don’t want anyone in this country to suffer, our customers and especially pensioners, because today is the first day of pension payments.
At the same time, Postal Workers Union accuses the company of putting pressure on the strikers, sending employees from Bucharest to the logistics hub in Cluj to replace those who are protesting.
On the other hand, the National Company “Pošta Română” transmitted, through a press release signed by Stefan Valentinthe general director of the Romanian Post, that he has made available to the employees all the Company’s financial possibilities to avoid this collective labor conflict and assures the more than two million pensioners that they will receive their rights on time, in April.
Alina Nechita
Radio Cluj can also be listened to online, HERE or by phone: 031 504 0456, call at normal rate.
You can also find us on Facebook, twitter and instagram.
