It has been agreed with four trade unions to prepare a plan by May of next year, how the salary for teachers will be increased after 2024, says Minister of Education, Science and Sports Gintautas Jakštas.
“We agreed that by May of next year we will jointly prepare a plan on how wages will continue to be increased after 2024,” G. Jakštas told reporters on Thursday.
“I am glad that we managed to find a consensus by talking, looking for a compromise, taking into account not only the wishes, but also the capabilities of the state. This offer is an absolute ceiling, the state has no possibility to offer anything more. So I am glad that this proposal satisfied the trade unions”, he added.
The Minister of Education, Science and Sports reiterated that he proposed to raise salaries for teachers next year in two stages: a total of 21%, of which 10% – from September.
According to G. Jakštos, this will require 343 million euros next year.
It was also agreed to reduce classes from next September. Municipalities could reduce the maximum class size from 30 to 26 students in basic education, from 24 to 22 students in primary education.
“Today we finished the negotiation process, agreements have been reached, and according to all procedures, as I understand it, the agreements will be submitted to the Ministry of Social Security and Labor and the Ministry of Finance for evaluation in the near future,” said Egidijus Milešinas, head of the Lithuanian Education and Science Trade Union (LŠMPS).
According to E. Milešin, it was also agreed with the ministry that the problems of financing educational aid and pre-school education will be solved by finding compromises in a tripartite format between the association of municipalities, the ministry and the trade union that signed the contract.
According to him, the LŠMPS council will assess whether the agreements are acceptable on Monday, and then make a decision on the strike.
In addition to LŠMPS, the Lithuanian Education and Science Trade Union, the Association of Lithuanian Higher Education Trade Unions, the Lithuanian trade union “Solidarumas” and the Lithuanian trade union “Sandrauga” participated in the negotiations on Thursday.
They were not attended by the only trade union of Lithuanian education workers (LŠDPS) led by Andriaus Navickos, which is announcing a long-term strike on Friday and starting a month-long protest action near the Government.
G. Jakštas said that he hopes to find a compromise with A. Navick’s organization as well.
“I don’t have an answer for myself why they don’t agree (with the proposals – BNS). Apparently, there is no need to agree,” said the minister.
“They are asking for three times the budget than it is now, it will never happen,” he added.
A.Navicka’s trade union does not agree with the proposals, it demands a 20% salary increase. from September, and from January next year – another 30 percent, to reduce the number of students in classes and other things.
The government is committed that teachers’ salaries must reach 130% next year. national salary average.
VIDEO: Minister of Education G. Jakštas proposes to raise teachers’ salaries next year in two stages
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