Latvian Trade Union of Education and Science Workers (LIZDA) notes that the trade union has the right to continue its strike.
“The trade union wants from the government only what was agreed upon. We have the right to continue the strike, but first of all we need to agree on its form,” LTV programme Rīta panorāma was told by LIZDA chairperson Inga Vanaga.
She reminded that on Wednesday, the 21st of February, the trade union’s council will organise an extraordinary meeting to discuss the situation with demands regarding the balancing of teachers’ workload.
Minister of Education and Science Anda Čakša, as well as representatives from the Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Finance, Latvian Association of Local Governments and Latvian Association of Education Leaders are invited to attend the meeting.
Topics to be discussed there are related to the guidelines developed by the Ministry of Education and Science regarding the teachers’ pay model “School programme”. The trade union has studied the project and has found many unclear aspects that need to be addressed.
“If necessary, we will invite all teachers, and this earthquake is the very last thing the sector needs right now,”
LIZDA states in regards to future actions to be taken.
As it is known, LIZDA and the Ministry of Education and Science have different opinions about the balancing of teachers’ workload.
Minister of Education and Science Anda Čakša stressed through media representatives that the agreement reached in the last strike has been implemented. She added that work continues on balancing teachers’ workload. The ministry proposes a way to move towards a balanced workload. According to his way, the workload is to be balanced at 50:50 or 20 hours for the teaching process and 20 – for other responsibilities.
The trade union is of a different opinion – the proposal from IZM will make things worse and the real number of contact lessons will not go down. LIZDA chairperson Inga Vanaga claims the proposed changes affect the workload-balancing method. Vanaga accuses the ministry of not informing the trade union about the change of the method – LIZDA would have proposed a different offer to balance workloads.
Also read: Latvian authorities to look into dubious information about ex-PM Kariņš’s private flights
Follow us on Facebook and X!