Antigovernment rally draws half as many people as AC/DC concert

Yesterday’s trade union rally in Piata Victoriei (Victory Square), considered to be the largest in the last few years, was attended by 30,000 people – half as many as those in attendance at the AC/DC concert held a few days ago.
How come over 60,000 people paid money out of their pockets to go to a concert, while a protest against a 25% salary cut only drew half as many?
“Salaries of public sector workers have risen from one year to the next and they may be aware that the joy is over and that adjustment will follow, no matter what they do,” says economic analyst Aurelian Dochia.
Over the last four years, salaries of public sector employees have risen by 25% every year. A 25% cut means a return to 2007.
“There can only be a wage adjustment after several years’ rises, it could not be otherwise. On the other hand, I thought the turnout was high considering that unions are not known for their ability to draw large crowds. But people do not expect any miracles,” the analyst says.
Daniel Barbu, who teaches at the University of Bucharest, says “going to a concert is a choice you make for yourself. It is strictly individual, while going to a trade union or a political rally means adhering to a cause. It is about the individualistic and fragmented nature of our society, as well as about trade union weakness. But ultimately individualism is a sign of modernity,” Barbu says.