Four representative trade unions of educators will hold a large protest in Belgrade on November 1 and thus begin a "series of strikes during November".
Mirjana Gašić, spokeswoman for the Union of Educational Workers of Serbia (USPRS), tells "Vreme" that the majority of members voted for this form of strike.
"According to the survey conducted by city committees and basic organizations of the SPRS Union, only two percent of members are satisfied with the Government's offer," says Gašić.
A fifth of the membership believes that a total suspension is the only solution, that is, 21 percent of the members.
"The majority of members, 67 percent, are in favor of a model of legal suspension with rotation among school administrations," says Gašić.
Ten percent of the membership did not respond to the survey.
The interlocutor of "Vremena" says that the views of other unions are similar, but less radical, that is, that the majority is in favor of legal suspensions with rotation among school administrations.
"Depending on the course of negotiations, a complete suspension of work for several days will be considered in November," says Gašić.
The request is not waived
The demands of the trade union are the urgent continuation of talks regarding the observance of the signed protocol with the Government of Serbia, the start of negotiations on the price of labor in 2025 and the start of negotiations on amendments to the special collective agreement for employees in primary and secondary schools, as well as in student dormitories.
"We are continuing further actions. We will not stop until the demands are met," added the statement signed by the Union of Education Workers of Serbia, the Education Union of Serbia, the Branch Union of Education Workers of Serbia Nezavisnost and the Education Workers Union of Serbia.
Since the beginning of this school year, educational unions have already organized two protests and work stoppages in schools, after, as they claim, the Government did not fulfill its promise from the signed protocol and equalize the salaries of educators with the national average.
The main demand of the four representative trade unions is that the starting salary of teachers, which now amounts to 86.681 dinars (740 euros), equals the average salary at the national level (818 euros).
The Government of Serbia previously announced that from January 1, 2025, the salaries of employees in education will be increased by 12 percent, while the salary increase for non-teaching staff would amount to eight percent, which is unacceptable for education unions.
It continues "white strike"
Members of the Independent Union of Educational Workers of Serbia sthey announced on October 14 that they are starting a so-called "white strike" which means that all students will only receive "excellent 5" grades.
They decided to take this step because the Government and the Assembly did not improve school security by appropriate changes to the law and accompanying regulations by the deadline, by guaranteeing teachers more effective legal protection against attacks, as well as the possibility to immediately suspend students who behave inappropriately. classes and lessons.
