Romanian rail workers stage two-hour strike

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romanian railway workers have staged a two-hour strike, disrupting service across the country, to demand higher salaries and better working conditions.

Some 900 passenger and goods trains did not run during the stoppage which began at 7 a.m. local time Wednesday and trains were running hours late when rail services resumed.

The walkout came after negotiations between the Romanian Railways union and the transportation ministry broke down Tuesday. Further talks are scheduled Wednesday.

Iulian Mantescu, head of the Train Drivers Federation, said staff have not had a wage raise for six years and were unhappy about plans for 2,500 employees to be laid off. They also want better working conditions.