Elementary and middle school teachers to go on strike on Oct. 5

Primary and secondary school teachers across the Netherlands will retire on Thursday, October 5th. Due to inflation, unions are demanding higher wages than the government offers. Trade unions are demanding at least a 12% wage increase for teachers, while the government is offering up to a 5% wage increase.

The protest was supported by trade unions including educators’ union AOb, CNV, FNV, school leaders’ union AVS, and FvOV, a trade union federation representing more professional educators such as teachers specializing in mathematics and physical education. Organized by collectives.

“All around us we see all sectors signing much more expensive collective bargaining agreements. They say, ‘No, there’s nothing.'” More to come. Please accept the loss of purchasing power,” said AOb board member Thijs Roovers. With real take-home wages cut in this way, how is it possible for teachers and school leaders to remain in their professions, or to attract new talent willing to enter the field? Will it be possible, he wondered.

Labor unions also held protests calling for wage increases in May. In doing so, they threatened to go on strike at the end of the school year or the beginning of the new year. Luvers said the fact that the strike was set for Oct. 5 is a concession to children and teachers.

“We want the school to start the year as normal. We don’t want them to suffer more from the strike and we’re gentle about it,” he said. But there is a bigger, more controversial issue, he continued. “Because the government continues to disappoint our children by not investing in their education. Our professions are too important for that.” And it is worth fighting for, he said.

Unions still don’t know exactly what the protest day will look like, or what teachers will do instead of standing in front of the class on that day. The Hague’s Mariefeld is unlikely to demonstrate.

“National rallies have no effect. We have to go where problems affect people. Our schools, our neighborhoods. How can we make our meetings so useful and effective?” As powerful as possible? ”