The provincial government and the union that represents teachers from Río Negro, Unter, continue to measure forces while the conflict continues with no solution in sight because 17 of the 18 sectionals that have already held their assemblies, none accepted the last salary offer of the provincial Executive. In the middle, thousands of students and parents wait for a resolution that allows them to return to the classroom.
“Here the key to unlock this is held by the provincial government”, said the general secretary Silvana Inostroza.
He said that for Unter, the balance of the 8 days of unemployment, “is that we have had a very high compliance, although it has been decreasing, it is due to the pressures of the Government.” And he mentioned “the button implemented by the Ministry of Education for teachers to give the present and discounts”.
He pointed out that the discounts for the days of unemployment that the Government applied, “the truth is that they are tremendous and, despite that, we continue with a very high adhesion”. And he mentioned the 4,000 teachers who marched last week in Viedma. Inostroza recalled that the 8-day strike was what the Unter Congress resolved.
He announced that on Monday there will be a new Congress in Roca. He reported that 17 of the 18 sections have already held their assemblies and None accepted the last salary offer that the Government put on the table in the parity. The only thing missing is the Roca section, which is currently holding its assembly.
The union leader pointed out that two tendencies emerged from the assemblies. One that declares the salary offer insufficient and the other rejects and the request for an urgent call to another joint meeting.
“We are asking for a salary increase of 15 percent starting from February, but the Government offered 6 percent and now 7 percent”, he indicated. He said that at that point is the main knot of the conflict.
He asserted that starting with a 15 percent increase as a floor in February would allow wages “stay above inflation” annual. On the other hand, the official offer does not exceed it, according to Inostroza.
He questioned “because it is biased” the information that comes out of the factories of the provincial Executive. In the official statement it was indicated that a “full-time teacher with 70% seniority, percentage taken as average, and without the increase that 20%, 40% or 80% of location also represent, would reach a monthly salary of 405,375 pesos in August”.
He affirmed that the government does not inform the salary of a simple-time teacher, without seniority, as is the witness position that Unter takes. He reported that in April -with the 7 percent increase- a teacher in that position will charge regarding 162,000 pesos.
“We have asked the government that we need to resolve this conflict”, he assured. And she blamed the administration of Governor Arabela Carreras for wanting to delay it.
He recalled that the first joint meeting was held on February 23 and at that meeting the Executive did not present any offer. He commented that the fifth meeting was held a few days ago “and for us it is terrible” and also stated that they offered a point increase to the original offer of 6 percent.
“We are demanding a serious proposal from the Government so as not to delay this conflict”, he emphasized. He said that the 5% increase that the Government granted with the salaries that were collected this month on account of future increases and the school start fund (which from 3,000 pesos rose this year to 12,500), “all that was eaten up by the discounts ” for the days of unemployment.
He said that the resolution of the conflict depends “on the political will” of the provincial Executive. “There are resources in the province because it has a surplus,” he pointed out.
He stated that what the government is looking for is to prolong the conflict “It is facing society”. Regarding the Congress that will be held on Monday in Roca, Inostroza expressed his desire that what is resolved “hopefully it will be the best definition for everyone.”
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