Yesterday's trade union rally in Piata Victoriei (VictorySquare), considered to be the largest in the last few years, wasattended by 30,000 people - half as many as those in attendance atthe AC/DC concert held a few days ago.
How come over 60,000 people paid money out of their pockets to goto a concert, while a protest against a 25% salary cut only drewhalf as many?
"Salaries of public sector workers have risen from one year to thenext and they may be aware that the joy is over and that adjustmentwill follow, no matter what they do," says economic analystAurelian Dochia.
Over the last four years, salaries of public sector employees haverisen by 25% every year. A 25% cut means a return to 2007.
"There can only be a wage adjustment after several years' rises, itcould not be otherwise. On the other hand, I thought the turnoutwas high considering that unions are not known for their ability todraw large crowds. But people do not expect any miracles," theanalyst says.
Daniel Barbu, who teaches at the University of Bucharest, says"going to a concert is a choice you make for yourself. It isstrictly individual, while going to a trade union or a politicalrally means adhering to a cause. It is about the individualisticand fragmented nature of our society, as well as about trade unionweakness. But ultimately individualism is a sign of modernity,"Barbu says.
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