KIEV, June 27 (RIA Novosti) - Ukraine's trade union federation has organized protests in Kiev against raised tariffs for utility services and energy, the country's Channel Five television said Tuesday.
The protest, which has attracted only a few thousand people instead of the expected 125,000, is accusing the government of raising communal tariffs without the unions' consent, which they say breaches a general agreement between the authorities and trade unions.
Gas and electricity tariffs were raised 25% May 1, and are further set to double July 1.
The protests, supported by the opposition Communist Party and the bloc of Natalia Vitrenko, are also demanding an increase of per hour wages $1 to $3.
A total of 10,000 union representatives demonstrated in Kiev in May following tariff hikes, and unions also organized mass meetings across Ukraine last week.
