Teachers’ pay could rise by 5 percent, according to a proposal prepared by Finance Minister Peter Kažimír which was discussed at a meeting with education trade unions and representatives of several ministries. However, trade unionists said that they did not accept the offer, adding that they would discuss it at a meeting of their union council planned for October 15, the SITA newswire reported.
Teachers’ salaries were the main reason for a strike on September 13 that saw many schools remain closed for the day. The trade unions, as well as protesting teachers, called then for a salary hike of 10 percent, and an increase in spending on education.
Head of the teachers’ trade unions Pavol Ondek explained that he could not decide on such a proposal without the general consent of the unions, saying that they would have to do a proper analysis. He did not want to comment on the possibility of another strike that might last several days.
“It should be expected that the council will not agree with this proposal presented today at the meeting,” said Ondek, as quoted by SITA. He also added that if the suggestion passes, the teachers will surely not be satisfied since “salaries in education are really low”.
The Finance Ministry says the offer would cost about €60 million. The monthly salaries of teaching staff might go up by €36 in average, while non-pedagogical employees should get approximately €18. The salary hike would not affect the wages of university lecturers, Kažimír added.
Source: SITA
For more information about this story please see: Teachers' strike closes schools
Compiled by Radka Minarechová from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
