The School Year to Start with a Teachers' Strike
Updated on: 05.09.2007, 16:29
Published on: 05.09.2007, 16:19
The National syndicate council of the teachers confirmed its decision to declare effective protest actions on 15 September, which is the first day of the school year in Bulgaria.
The three teachers unions have formed a strike management board, which has adopted a plan for united and coordinated actions.
Apart from the effective protest on 15 September, the plan envisages church prayer services throughout the country for the salvation of Bulgarian education - on 17 September, silent vigils – on 18 September, and auto rallies – on 19 September.
20 September will be declared day of silence in classrooms. During the classes the teachers will write on the blackboard but will not speak to the students.
In case an agreement for 100% increase of the teachers' salaries is not reached, continuous strike actions will start on 24 September.
Krum Krumov, chairman of “Education” syndicate confirmed one more time that the syndicalists did not accept cuts in the teachers' personnel to be made in order to increase the salaries.
The people cannot stand anymore these low wages. We are ridiculous in Europe, commented Krumov adding that even in Albania teachers are better paid, and Romania has long time ago left us behind in terms of teachers' wages.
The syndicate's data shows that the average salary of Bulgarian teachers is 171 EUR.
Konstantin Trenchev, president of the Confederation of Labour “Podkrepa” said he firmly supported the teachers' decisions.
These are the people that lay the foundations of tomorrow in Bulgaria, although many do not realize it. They must show the society how to fight for human rights, claimed Trenchev and added that all means for reaching an agreement have been used up.
“Let's hope that in the remaining days, God will give the government authorities some reason, which they obviously lack”, said also Trenchev.
On 10 September the syndicalists will meet again the minister of education Daniel Valchev and will present to him their demands. However, they are not optimistic about the outcome of the meeting.
The three teachers syndicates have adopted statement to the parents of the students, in which they appeal for their support to the teachers strike.
