CESI supports the action of Polish teachers and trade unions on April 8
2019-04-08 12:00
Today, April 8, Polish teachers and trade unions started a strike to express discontent in relation to an insufficient increase in wages. CESI sends a message of support and solidarity to the teachers and to its member organization WZZ Solidarność-Oświata.
The strike concerns a continuing dispute between the Polish education unions and the government regarding the insufficient increase in salaries in the education sector and the lack of a truly inclusive consultation of the social partners.
According to Mr Sławomir Wittkowicz, director of WZZ Solidarność-Oświata, the Polish government and Ministry of Education have to act on:
– lack of real increases in basic salary in 2019,
– significant reduction of teaching posts,
– deterioration of the educational offer in rural schools,
– increasing teachers’ duties and working time.
CESI Secretary-General Klaus Heeger noted: “I hope that this joint action will make the government realise that failing to invest in Education sector and especially in teachers wages, will bring damage the entire country in the long-term. The recent government behaviour has been short-sighted and detrimental.”
In the field of education, the situation of employees is totally heterogeneous in Europe. In some Member States teachers are widely recognized professionals, respected and enjoy quality living conditions; in others, teachers experience social regressions of a magnitude rarely known before.
To address this situation and highlight it to national and European legislators, the European Confederation of Independent Trade Unions (CESI) will present this month the “Teachers’ Manifesto” for social justice and professional recognition.
Picture: CESI Secretary-General Klaus Heeger © CESI 2019
