Rīta Panorāma

Laika ziņas

Rīta Panorāma

Saruna ar Lindu Mihno un Olgu Poli par skolēnu prasmēm un zināšanām starptautiskos pētījumos

Telefonintervija ar LIZDA vadītāju Ingu Vanagu

Government indulging in 'political theater' over teacher strike, says union

The ruling coalition government is indulging in "political theater" in connection with demands put forward by the Latvian Education and Science Employees' Union (LIZDA), the union's leader Inga Vanaga, told Latvian Television's "Morning Panorama" program April 17.

Evaluating last Friday's announcement that Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš (New Unity party) had agreed with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Education and Science on the salary schedule for teachers for the next three years, the head of LIZDA said that the drafts of the relevant documents were received late on Friday, but they do not give substantive guarantees nd information about necessary amendments to the regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers.

"I dare to say that a certain kind of political theater is currently taking place, a simulation of work by these officials, because very important objections have not been taken into account," Vanaga said.

According to her, the information received by LIZDA on Friday evening shows that in 27 municipalities there are still no plans to increase teachers' salaries from September 1, but in 16 municipalities this could happen only if school network reforms take place. Also, there is no provision for an increase in the salaries of administration staff, while an increase in the salary of teaching staff in universities is possible by redistributing existing resources. On the other hand, the politicians have completely ignored demands about balancing teachers' workloads required by LIZDA.

"Nothing has radically changed, and it must be said, it is a new project that has not been discussed before," said Vanaga.

She noted that politicians can still prevent a three-day teachers' strike planned to begin on April 24. "It is a political decision," said the head of LIZDA, noting that it is still possible to adopt the necessary regulatory acts to meet the demands of educators.

The head of LIZDA said that what is currently happening is reminiscent of what happened last fall, when teachers were preparing for a strike ahead of the new school year and parliamentary elections, when the government rushed to fulfill the union's demands at the last minute to avert strike action.

 

Seen a mistake?

Select text and press Ctrl+Enter to send a suggested correction to the editor

Select text and press Report a mistake to send a suggested correction to the editor

Related articles
Education and Science

More

Most important