Latvian Trade Union of Education and Science Employees (LIZDA) will invite teachers to go on an indefinite strike in September, as confirmed LIZDA head Inga Vanaga.
According to her, the trade union will not organise pickets or processions any more. The reason is because politicians’ inability to find a compromise and fulfil the demands presented by LIZDA has demonstrated the executive power’s «true face».
In September the trade union plans to commence a limitless strike. This measure was unanimously supported by LIZDA council on 20 June.
Vanaga stresses that it will not be a warning strike – it will continue for as long as it takes for LIZDA’s voice to be heard.
Vanaga reminds that in 2015 there was a teachers’ strike that lasted one day. LIZDA council learned a big lesson from this, specifically that a strike can be considered effective only if it continues indefinitely.
Additionally, LIZDA plans to turn to municipal administrations, heads of education facilities, university representatives, as well as teachers, because they should understand that people like working with children, but under the current workload teachers are unable to find enough time to meet requirements presented by new regulations.
During the picked organised by LIZDA last week it was not possible to secure all demands.
Read also: PHOTO | 3 000 protesters gather outside Saeima, but teachers’ demands remain ignored
After meeting with Minister of Education and Science Anita Muižniece, LIZDA head Inga Vanaga said the ministry refused to comply with any of the demands the trade union presented.
The three main demands were balanced workload, increased wages and fair financing distribution mechanism.
LIZDA chairperson Vanaga stressed that the country’s education system is on a brink of collapse.