Trade unions in Romania are readying for a potential nationwide work stoppage in response to proposed austerity measures
Romania is bracing for a wave of coordinated union protests in September, following a series of escalating labor actions against the government's austerity policies. The decision for the protests was made during a meeting of union leaders evaluating the impact of recent policies, which have sparked widespread discontent among public employees.
The austerity measures, introduced in 2025, include VAT and excise duty increases, freezes on public sector salaries and pensions, restrictions on bonuses and hiring, and cuts in education funding and teacher pay. These policies have been particularly controversial within the education sector, where unions accuse the government of causing a severe crisis by increasing teacher workloads and merging educational institutions, potentially leading to layoffs.
In response, unions across various sectors are organising coordinated protest actions and collecting signatures to authorise a general strike. The education unions have announced a large mobilization of over 30,000 members for a "Education Rally" on September 8, coinciding with the start of the new school year. This rally will be incorporated into the broader coordinated demonstrations.
Weekly protests are planned to start on August 20 at prefecture offices, with the timing to be decided locally. The signature collection campaign aims to protect union leaders legally in the event of court challenges, as Romania's legal frameworks require unions to notify employers 48 hours before striking, with employers holding the right to challenge strikes in court or sue for damages.
Representatives from CNSLR-Frăţia, CNS Cartel Alfa, CSDR, and CSN Meridian have agreed to draft a unified set of demands, which will be submitted to county-level unions and forwarded to local parliamentarians. These demands are yet to be disclosed.
The background context involves Romania's efforts to reduce its excessive budget deficit by imposing these fiscal austerity policies, which have been met with strong opposition from labor unions representing public employees. The coordinated actions in August mark an escalation in labor opposition to the austerity package.
In July, separate demonstrations were held by trade union organisations from various sectors, including central and local administration, education, forestry, transport, agriculture, and finance, in opposition to wage cuts, tax increases, and deteriorating working conditions.
As Romania heads towards coordinated union protests and a potential general strike in September 2025, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to this growing labour unrest.
The austerity policies, centered on policy-and-legislation, have driven widespread politics of opposition, with unions unveiling a unified set of demands aimed at addressing their concerns over education, VAT, and public sector salaries. The escalating labor actions, encompassing sectors like education, finance, and transport, are gearing up for coordinated protest actions in September, potentially leading to a general strike.
