Thursday 25 May action afternoon secondary education!
There is simply not enough money to conclude a collective labor agreement with a decent wage increase for secondary education. “We need to take massive action now,” he says AObdriver Jelmer Evers.
First the good news. In the collective labor agreement negotiations between unions and employers, according to Evers, there is 'constructive talk' about the - important - issues of teaching time and lesson time. Evers: “We want sufficient time for lessons and pre- and post-work, so that teachers can practice their profession properly. We are not there yet, but the talks are constructive enough to continue.”
Inflation affects everyone in society – including teachers and support staff
The bad news, however, is that there is not enough money to negotiate a decent wage increase. As it stands now, 5,2% seems to be available. “Of course that is much too low. Inflation affects everyone in society – including teachers and support staff. Low wages do not make the profession attractive, and we already have huge staff shortages,” says Evers. “Fortunately, good wage increases are concluded in other sectors to compensate for these price increases. We want to do the same in secondary education.”
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However, employers in secondary education do not receive enough money from The Hague to raise wages properly. The employers themselves recently wrote about this already a letter to the cabinet. “We cannot agree on a decent wage increase without extra money,” says Evers. "That's what it comes down to."
lung covid
And the extra money isn't just needed for a pay rise. Evers: “We want one in the collective labor agreement internship compensation of 750 euros for students in education. We want compensation for victims of lung covid, and a covering travel allowance. That also costs money. Money that is not there.”
Staff room
That is why action is needed. “It didn't happen automatically in the other sectors either, and campaigns have been launched for a good result. We will continue the signature campaign, which will culminate in the action on May 16. First of all, let us know that you support our efforts,” says Evers. On the action page you will find, among other things, a signature list for the staff room and a flyer with more information.
Evers: “Many lists are already being filled in and sent in – we have over a hundred schools. But we can do more – we need everyone's support now. Come on and join us: hang that list in your staff room, take a picture of the – full – list and send it in. And ask all your colleagues to take action on May 16!”
The spring memorandum of the cabinet is coming. If we wait with actions until after the exams, we will be too late
On Thursday 25 May, in the afternoon, the signatures will be presented to local and national politicians in The Hague. “It is not a convenient time, during exam time,” says Evers. “But the cabinet's spring memorandum is coming and will be discussed in the House. That's where the extra money comes from. If we wait until after the exams, we'll be late. We must make our voices heard now. And if it turns out that there is not enough money, we will of course go on strikes.”
Online meeting
Tonight, Thursday 20 April, at 19.00 p.m., Evers, together with Gerard Klaassen of the FNV, will explain the state of affairs in the negotiations in an online meeting. The meeting is can be followed live on the action page, you can join the chat yourself.
Negotiations with employers will continue in mid-May. “But without extra money from The Hague, I see it very gloomy. And the negotiations on the other subjects are certainly not endless and non-binding,” says Evers. “That is why we must all take action now.”
