No compromise for the possible increase of teachers’ pay was reached during the Reconciliation Committee’s final meeting on 7 September. This means Latvian Education and Science Trade Union (LIZDA) will go on an indefinite strike on 19 September, as confirmed by the trade union’s leader Inga Vanaga.
LIZDA plans to submit all the necessary documents to submit a strike by 12 September. However, Vanaga reminds that politicians still have an opportunity to prevent a strike.
According to her, the strike will end only once the government has made decisions to comply with LIZDA’s demands.
In addition, the trade union expects a written confirmation from Minister of Education and Science Minister Anita Muižniece for what she said at the meeting – that the government may decide to include the trade union’s requested solutions in the next year’s budget project.
Vanaga notes future talks will take place only with participation from Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš and Ministry of Finance, because Muižniece does not have the authority to make decisions that have high fiscal influence.
This means that as of 19 September onward, teachers that decide to go on strike will not go to work. Employers are also invited to not make other teaching staff to take over for the teachers on strike.
Muižniece, on the other hand, said that she will continue discussions with the Ministry of Finance, the PM and ruling coalition until the start of the strike to find solutions and remove some of the workload for teachers.
As previously reported, one of the demands presented by the trade union is a balanced workload for teachers. The second demand is for the government to comply with the regulation of the Education Law regarding teachers pay increase schedule.
Vanaga admits the trade union is ready for a compromise. However, she did not detail any examples which solutions the trade union may find acceptable.