Education
- 03 May 2012
Lithuania: ESF-funded projects to promote social dialogueOn 21 February the Lithuanian Ministry of Social Security and Labour, the European Social Fund Agency and leaders of employer and employee organisations signed contracts governing the implementation of ESF-funded projects designed to promote social dialogue. The two-year projects are designed to develop the capacities of employers and trade unions in the area of social dialogue, improve industrial relations and promote the signing of collective agreements in the country.
- 23 Apr 2012
Romania: Teachers' protests continue despite resolution of local disputeWhile the first protest movements staged last autumn were aimed at claiming the payment of overdue salaries for teachers in the County of Teleorman, they gradually won the backup of the three representative trade union federations of the preuniversity education in Romania, diversified their demands and extended to the entire sector. Internationally, the trade unions did obtain the formal support of the European Trade Union Committee for Education. At home, however, the long-time precarious funding of the educational sector is there to stay this year too, when the dialogue between the new Cabinet and the trade unions remains open but tense.
- 23 Apr 2012
Estonia: Teachers strike over low payAfter months of negotiations and demonstrations, the Estonian Education Personnel Union announced its members would strike between 7 and 10 March 2012 in protest at teachers’ low pay. Pay negotiations started in September 2011, and the teachers’ minimum wage has not risen since 2009, but the government has said that it does not have the resources to pay the 20% increase being demanded. Around 15,000 teachers took part in the strike and 4,000 demonstrated in Tallinn on 7 March.
- 05 Apr 2012
Latvia: Unrest in the education and health care sectorsThe Latvian health and education ministries have provoked trade union protests after proposing fundamental reforms to their sectors. The Minister for Education proposed several changes, among them lengthening the school year, and the Minister for Health has proposed that only tax payers should have access to some state-financed health care services. The protesters were opposed to the hasty proposals and the financial stress created by an enduring austerity regime.
- 30 Mar 2012
Lithuania: Lithuanian teachers hold warning strikeDissatisfied with current pay and working conditions as well as with education reforms being prepared by the government, Lithuanian teachers prepared for a two-hour warning strike on 21 February. The Ministry of Education and Science said it was ready to have discussions with other stakeholders and that all the issues being raised by Lithuania’s main teaching union were being addressed. The main issues involved assessing the competence of teachers and how pay is calculated.
- 20 Jan 2012
Spain: Regional governments plan to cut education spendingIn 2011, the Spanish government agreed in the Fiscal and Financial Policy Council to set new goals for cutting the public deficit of the autonomous communities from an overall average of 3.9% to 1.3%. In response, several regional governments have drawn up new plans for reductions in their education budgets. In some regions fixed-term teaching positions will not be renewed and working hours will be extended. Unions have called strikes to protest against these measures.