Čmilytė-Nielsen hopes that the striking teachers will not take extreme measures
“Let’s leave such scenarios in the hypothetical field, I really wouldn’t want to comment on them,” V. Čmilytė-Nielsen said to “Žiniai Radio” on Wednesday, when asked whether the pedagogues’ strike could continue until next year.
“I hope they won’t be. And I hope that rationality and the understanding that there really is good will on both sides will prevail,” she hoped.
The leader of the Parliament did not attempt to predict how long the teachers’ strike might last. However, he emphasized that the ministry is making every effort to reach an agreement with the trade unions of education workers.
“Of course, we want the ministry, which is making great efforts to find a compromise with the teachers, to finally succeed in doing so,” said V. Čmilytė-Nielsen.
However, V. Čmilytė-Nielsen emphasized the role of the parliament as well – according to her, it is important that the Seimas, when approving next year’s budget, fulfills the obligations regarding salary increases stipulated in the national education agreement.
“From my point of view, from the point of view of the Seimas, the most important thing now is to concentrate on the adoption of the budget, so that it includes funds that will allow the implementation of the commitment of the majority of parliamentary parties (…)”, explained the head of the Seimas.
The trade union of education workers led by Andriaus Navickos demanded a 20 percent increase in teachers’ salaries this year. He also requested that from 2024 January 1 salaries would increase by another 30 percent. In this case, the total wage growth would reach 56 percent.
LŠDPS has also expressed the need to reduce the number of students in the newly formed classes, and proposes to provide for a better procedure for working with students with special educational needs.
At the end of August, the Lithuanian Education and Science Trade Union also reported on the consideration of going on strike (LŠMPS). Its chairman Egidijus Milesin informed that they will join the strike if it is not possible to reach an agreement on the raised demands.