Some 1,500 members of the CNSLR-Fratia trade union gathered in the Revolution Square in Bucharest on Wednesday to protest against austerity measures pushed by the Romanian government. Union leaders said they expected some 20,000 people to join meetings and marches scheduled throughout the day, according to Romanian news agency Mediafax.

UPDATE Some 9,000 protesters gathered in the Revolution Square in the earlu afternoon.

Participants come from Bucharest and across the country. They started gathering in the Revolution Square in the morning as protests were scheduled to start at noon. In the afternoon, they're due to leave for Victoria Square, also in downtown Bucharest, to protest until evening.

CNSLR Fratia union leader Marius Petcu announced some 10,000 of the 20,000 people expected to protest today come from across the country. He said protesters supported a series of trade union claims including a halt in austerity measures pushed by the government, including the reduction of salaries in the budget sector by 25%.