Trade unions: 87% of teachers continue strike in Romania

Trade union federations in Romania’s education system claim that “87% of those who signed up for the strike decided to continue their protest” despite the government’s promise of an 18%-25% wage hike inked in an emergency ordinance already passed by the executive, G4media.ro reported.

The trade unions don’t say, however, how much this means out of the total number of teachers.

The number of teachers still on strike was announced at 134,007, which is in line with the government’s estimate of a 60% share of total teachers. The Ministry of Education said the share of teachers on strike decreased from 64% on May 31 to 60% on June 6.

One can conclude that the government’s bid to put an end to the strike by a unilateral decision to raise wages has so far failed. However, minister of education Ligia Deca stresses that 10,000 teachers and 5,000 support staff in schools previously on strike decided to abandon their protest.

Furthermore, the government is preparing regulations to allow teachers to end their activity even if not enough grades were given to some pupils, according to G4media.ro.

(Photo source: Inquam Photos/Bogdan Ioan Buda)