According to the Lithuanian Education Workers Trade Union (LŠDPS), about 5 thousand are going to participate in the warning strike. pedagogues in 228 educational institutions – both in schools and in kindergartens or educational centers.
According to the data of LŠDPS chairman Andrias Navicks, 33 educational institutions will go on strike in Vilnius, 44 in Klaipėda, 17 in Alytus, 20 in Panevėžys, and some pedagogues in three institutions in Kaunas. According to A.Navickas, Kaunas pedagogues are always less active.
Ona Gucevičienė, head of the Education Department of the Kaunas municipality, said that most of the city’s pedagogues do not intend to strike.
Out of approximately 4,800 teaching staff working in Kaunas, only about 40 of them plan to participate in the two-hour strike in three educational institutions.
According to LŠDPS, during the warning strike, teachers will be able to engage in activities that they have planned for themselves.
In some schools, the first two classes will not be held on Friday due to the strike, and in some places the educational process will be conducted remotely on this day.
LŠDPS demands a 20% increase in salaries from September, another 30% from January of next year, a reduction in the number of students in classes, etc.
The Minister of Education, Gintautas Jakštas, says that teachers’ salaries have been increased, as agreed, since January, and it is not possible to raise them since September.
“Since September, you have understood that we cannot increase, teachers’ salaries have been increased since January, they were increased as much as agreed. The budget is not planned for half a year, but for a year, so it is planned that there will be two increases next year”, said the minister in the Seimas this week.
According to him, the ministry will be able to present the salary proposals next week.
If it is not possible to agree on the demands by the end of September, LŠDPS intends to organize a larger-scale strike.
The Lithuanian Education and Science Trade Union, led by Egidijus Milešinas, has also announced demands regarding teachers’ salaries, the number of students in classes, and other matters. She also does not rule out the possibility of a strike.
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#warning #strike #teachers #place #countrys #schools
**Interview with Andrias Navicks, Chairman of the Lithuanian Education Workers Trade Union (LŠDPS)**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Mr. Navicks. The LŠDPS has announced a warning strike involving about 5,000 pedagogues across 228 educational institutions. What are the key reasons behind this action?
**Andrias Navicks:** Thank you for having me. The primary reason for this warning strike is our demand for increased salaries. We are asking for a 20% salary increase starting this September, followed by an additional 30% in January. Our educators work hard, often under challenging conditions, and it’s essential that their compensation reflects the value they bring to our communities.
**Editor:** You’ve mentioned that participation will vary by region. Why do you think Kaunas has such a low participation rate compared to other cities?
**Andrias Navicks:** That’s a good question. Historically, Kaunas has had lower participation in strikes and demonstrations compared to cities like Vilnius and Klaipėda. Ms. Gucevičienė, the head of the Education Department there, has noted that most local educators do not intend to strike. However, we believe that the issues at stake affect all educators, and we want to encourage more involvement from that region in future actions.
**Editor:** What can participating teachers do during the warning strike?
**Andrias Navicks:** During the strike, teachers are encouraged to engage in self-planned activities. This is meant to give educators the flexibility to utilize their time while also drawing attention to their cause. In some institutions, the first two classes may be canceled, or schools may shift to remote learning for the day, ensuring minimal disruption to the education of students.
**Editor:** Going forward, what are the next steps for the LŠDPS after this warning strike?
**Andrias Navicks:** Following this warning strike, we will closely monitor the response from educational authorities and the government. If our salary demands continue to be ignored, further actions may be necessary, including potential strike escalations. Our goal is to ensure that our teachers are properly compensated for their dedication and hard work.
**Editor:** Thank you, Mr. Navicks, for your insights. We appreciate you taking the time to speak with us today.
**Andrias Navicks:** Thank you for having me. It’s crucial that we keep the dialogue open on these important issues.