CFR Marfa Reduces Work Schedule By Two Days Per Month

Update 05.23.2011 By Bostan Radu

Romanian railway company CFR Marfa has reduced the number of working days by two for every 30, effective May 23, and will cut 3,000 jobs through collective layoffs starting in July, says a press release.

These decisions make up a restructuring program aiming to reduce CFR Marfa's losses, arrears and allow it to stay within the approved personnel budget, according to the press release. The management says the unions party to the collective work contract were consulted regarding this decision on May 18, 2011.

Employee representatives say that, according to document signed by the management, the work schedule will be reduced by one day out of every week, not two days out of a month, meaning salaries will be cut by 20%.

Union confederation Cartel Alfa said the decision was made without the consent of the Federation of Railroad Engineers (FML), which represents most of company's employees. The 20% salary reduction comes after a 30% cut enacted last year and still in effect, as well as upcoming layoffs.

The confederation has asked the Transport Ministry to order CFR Marfa's management to negotiate with the union federation toward legal solutions that respect the workers' collective work contract.