The mediator of the conflict between Estonian workers and employers – the so-called national conciliator – took over the duty of managing the wage dispute between teachers and Estonian Ministry of Education on Monday, the 2nd of October, in order to prevent a possible strike, as reported by Estonian public media ERR.
Reemo Voltri, whose trade union represents nearly 30 000 teachers, said the situation needs to change –
the low wages paid to teachers put at risk basic function of the state
and it is unclear how the government allowed this to happen.
“Estonia’s teachers are understanding and flexible, and we have come up with a number of solutions to get there in even steps over four years. Let’s hope common sense wins. But if the government is still going to break its word, we will probably have to strike to raise awareness of the education crisis,” said Voltri.
He reminded that in preparation for the upcoming parliamentary elections in Estonia, all political parties have promised to increase teachers’ wages.
“In the coalition agreement, it was agreed in black and white that teachers’ salaries should be normalized in this way. This is an absolute minimum – otherwise, we will continue to lose several hundred qualified teachers a year, no new ones will be recruited, and half of them will soon be gone,” warns Voltri.
The head of the trade union told ERR – education workers want to believe the government wants to find a compromise, but they are not fully convinced. He allows that the one compromise may be a gradual increase of wages to a desired level over the course of years if it’s not possible to accomplish in 2024.
“But, if we were to move towards strike action, it would not be before the 15ht of November,” adds Voltri.
The trade union requested base wages of teachers to be increased by 11% in 2024, but the Ministry of Education and Science offered 8%. In government negotiations for the next year’s budget the offer was then reduced to 1.77 % or EUR 31 a month.
The minimal wage of teachers for full-time work in Estonia is EUR 1 749 in 2023. This is EUR 1 400 after taxes.
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