Aurel Gheorghe, union leader within the company, said employees came to work and at around 07:00 local time they ceased activity in two of the company’s three main sections. Activity continues at the special installations section.
“We are maintaining security of the objectives, PSI assistance and installation inspections,” Gheorghe said.
The employees claim a 3.4% increase in salaries. In the latest negotiations, concluded at the end of last week, management promised a 2% increase starting July 1, 2012.
“This would only apply for half of the year,” the union leader said, adding management decided to shave one day off the working week, which means employees would only recover one quarter of the loss taken.
In his turn, Oil Terminal boss Silviu Wagner said the 2% hike offered was a major risk in itself, since the company posted a loss of more than 3 million lei (EUR0.69 million) in the first two months of the year.
He added March is expected to come with a loss of RON90,000 as well and a pay hike right now might render the company insolvent.
Meanwhile, a banner posted on the headquarters building reads “We got 2%!! We have jobs. What are we on strike for??”. (EUR1=RON4.3558)