Latvian Trade Union of Education and Science Workers (LIZDA) promises to request dismissal of Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš if the government passes Cab. Req. Nr. 445 and 376 that list rules on the increase of teachers’ wages and workload balancing.
This decision was made by the trade union at an extraordinary meeting on Thursday, the 20th of April.
On Friday, the 21st of April, there will be an extraordinary meeting of the Latvian government, during which it is planned to approve Cab. Req. on the way teachers’ wages will be increased.
LIZDA notes that the main reason to request the prime minister’s dismissal is the delay with implementation of the agreement reached at the last strike, as well as continued ignoring of good management principles.
The other reason, according to LIZDA, is the prime minister’s arrogant attitude towards the sector representatives’ invitation to attend the upcoming protest procession in Riga on the 24th of April. The trade union still hasn’t received a response from him.
LIZDA “is deeply disappointed with the irresponsible and arrogant policy frequently employed by the ruling coalition
and believes that not listening to opinions of public opinions is a fruitless and disrespectful strategy of politicians”.
The manager of the trade union Inga Vanaga told the media that the strike will happen. Vanaga said it is unacceptable for the Ministry of Education and Science to offer new redactions every day, giving the trade union no time to study them in order to tell if requirements of the strike and prior agreement are complied with.
At the same time, Minister of Education Anda Čakša and the ministry’s lawyers hope that by approving the government’s suggested rules for the increase of teachers’ wages and workload balancing it will be possible to avoid the strike.
Previously it was reported that the Ministry of Education and Science has submitted amendments to Cab. Min. requirements that provide for increasing the lowest hourly rate for all teachers except for pre-school teachers to EUR 8.50.
LIZDA still plans to organise a protest procession on the 24th of April and a three-day nation-wide strike of Latvian teachers.
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