Kindergarten and School Teachers Go on Effective Strike

Teachers in schools and kindergartens across the country are going on strike from September 24 after the unions and the Education Ministry failed to agree on the teachers’ demands for a 100 per cent increase of wages.

Teachers want to see their wages increase in three stages - from October 1, January 1, 2008, and July 1, 2008 - adding up to 100 per cent. The government is ready to up teachers’ wages but not before the start of next year and by less than the asked figure.

Emerging from the failed talks with the teachers’ unions Friday, Education Minister Daniel Vulchev said that according to the government’s plans the start-up basic teacher wage will be 330 leva on January 1 and the average gross wage 490 leva (or 520 leva if the traditional 13th wage is added).

According to Nikolai Nikolov, the speaker of the teachers’ strike committee, the unions’ plans are for an indefinite strike until the demands are met. He said that 83 per cent of schools and 75 per cent of kindergartens, are ready to join the strike. "How many will really join in, will be clear on Monday," said he.

The Education Minister said he has no plans to try to contain the strike. Asked whether the non-striking teachers are ready to take the classes of the strikers, he said that in schools with striking and non-striking teachers the latter will be ensured conditions for normal work.

According to Nikolov, talks with the government could continue during the strike.

BTA