Romania's auxiliary judicial personnel suspended their activities on June 4, 2026, in protest against a new salary law project. The suspension affected courts and prosecutor's offices nationwide from 08:00 to 12:00, highlighting the personnel's dissatisfaction with a decade-long stagnation in real salary increases. The protest was orchestrated by the National Union of Judicial Registry Staff Dicasterial, which convened during consultations of the "Justice" occupational family.

The union claims the proposed salary law project perpetuates mechanisms of salary stagnation and ignores the complexity of their work. According to the union, the new law risks repeating a five-year freeze and igniting a wave of systemic litigation, similar to the consequences of Law no. 153/2017, which led to thousands of salary disputes and forced executions.

Union representatives argue that the current form of the salary law does not respect the principles of hierarchy, equality, and non-discrimination. They emphasize that the legislation fails to address the unique demands and contributions of auxiliary judicial personnel, further entrenching the financial disparities created by previous policies. The union's decision to protest comes after years of obtaining salary increases only through definitive court rulings, as noted by the union.

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This highlights a persistent disconnect between legislative actions and the realities faced by judicial staff. The union accuses the legislative project of ignoring their demands and warns that the current trajectory could lead to increased state costs and further legal battles. To address these concerns, the Ministry of Labor, Family, Youth, and Social Solidarity has scheduled discussions with the union for June 5, 2026.

These discussions will potentially shape the future of the salary law project, as the union's Extraordinary General Assembly, also set for June 5, will decide on new forms of protest if their demands remain unmet. The auxiliary judicial personnel have consistently voiced their grievances over the years, citing the lack of acknowledgment for the complexity and importance of their roles within the judicial system. Their tasks, which include managing case files and assisting judges and prosecutors, are important for the functioning of the justice system, yet they feel undervalued and undercompensated.

The protest underscores the broader issues within Romania's public sector salary policies, which have been criticized for creating disparities and failing to provide equitable compensation across different roles. The auxiliary personnel's stance reflects a growing frustration among public employees who feel left out of legislative considerations that directly impact their livelihoods. As the union and the ministry prepare for their meeting, the outcome will be closely watched by all stakeholders.

The decision on June 5 will reveal whether the government is willing to amend the salary law project to better reflect the needs and contributions of auxiliary judicial staff. With the potential for further protests, the situation highlights the critical need for a balanced approach to public sector remuneration that truly values all roles within the justice system.