Employees of the National Administration „Apele Române” (ANAR), members of the Mureșul Union (SMAR), are protesting on Thursday in front of the institution’s headquarters and at the Ministry of Environment. They accuse the lack of social dialogue, the blocking of hirings in operational structures, and the maintenance of „politicized” leadership positions.
The protest started at 11:00 at the ANAR headquarters and continues with a march to the Ministry of Environment, where the demonstration is scheduled until 16:00. The union estimates the participation of at least 500 people.
Union members complain about low salaries and lack of field staff
The main grievances concern the blocking of execution positions, the suspension of promotions, and the reduction of certain salary rights for employees who intervene in cases of floods, pollution, or other emergencies.
SMAR representatives claim that the pressure of budget reductions is almost exclusively transferred to operational staff, while administrative structures and changes in directors continue.
"While the execution positions are blocked, administrative functions and changes in directors continue," say the union members.
They also accuse that the reorganizations promoted by the ANAR management do not aim to streamline the institution, but to maintain the central apparatus and leadership positions.
Conflict related to the Collective Labor Agreement
Another reason for the protest is the deadlock in negotiations for the 2026-2028 Collective Labor Agreement.
The union accuses the ANAR management and the Ministry of Environment of refusing real dialogue with employees and complains about the lack of transparency in negotiations, as well as "preferential treatment" for other union organizations.
The union members demand:
- unblocking hirings in operational structures;
- protecting the incomes of field staff;
- full granting of the allowance for home duty;
- reducing leadership positions in the central headquarters;
- halting reorganizations without technical and economic basis;
- depoliticizing leadership positions in Apele Române;
- resuming discussions on the special status of the institution.
ANAR's Reaction
The National Administration "Apele Române" rejects the union members' accusations of lack of transparency and blocking of social dialogue, stating that all representative union organizations, including the Mureșul Union, have been invited to the CCM negotiations.
According to a statement from the institution, SMAR representatives participated in the first negotiation meeting, where the meeting schedule and document transmission procedures were established, but later "refused to continue negotiations."
ANAR states that all documents requested by the unions - over 3,000 pages - have been made available to all involved organizations.
The institution also claims that the contested reorganization by the union members aims to streamline activities and strengthen territorial structures, including relocating leadership positions from the central level to local water management systems.
"We categorically reject allegations that the reorganization aims to maintain structures or positions based on political criteria," ANAR states.
The institution's management further asserts that cost reduction measures are implemented in accordance with the provisions of OUG 7/2026 and maintains that collective dismissals, salary reductions, or measures affecting the institution's stability are not considered.
ANAR specifies that it remains open to dialogue with unions and affirms that the institution's priorities remain interventions in emergency situations, managing hydraulic infrastructure, and protecting water resources.
Diana Buzoianu Attacks the "Connections" in the Institution
The Minister of Environment, Diana Buzoianu, stated on Thursday that the protest is organized by a union representing approximately 30% of the employees of Apele Române and argued that the institution's reorganization aims to eliminate "connections" and positions without concrete results.
"We will not be able to increase salaries for thousands of people who sit and collect dust from papers every day," the minister said in an intervention on Digi24.
Buzoianu claimed that the reform in Apele Române should eventually allow for better salaries and benefits for employees who "truly work," but only after reducing corruption and inefficient structures.
The minister accused the existence of influence networks and argued that, in the past, certain reorganizations that created additional leadership positions were not contested by the union currently protesting.
"Today we talk about performance criteria and a meaningful reorganization where connections will no longer remain in this institution," Diana Buzoianu stated.
She also claimed that some of the protesters "have been manipulated" by union leaders and accused the union leadership of blocking negotiations for the Collective Labor Agreement.
SMAR warns that the protests could continue and even escalate to the point of halting activities in the territorial structures of Apele Române if their demands are not taken into account.