Education unions: new actions inevitable
The polls by education unions give a clear picture: members want to continue with the actions in primary education. This is evident from consultations with the rank and file of the AOb, FvOv, CNV Education and FNV Overheid. More money is needed for a fair salary and less work pressure.
Picture: Fred van Diem
The unions together with PO in Actie, the employers' organization PO council and AVS form the PO front. The front will meet on Thursday evening to discuss short- and long-term strategy in order to achieve the common goal.
"Members determine our policy. Our survey shows that 97 percent believe that we should continue to campaign, now that insufficient money is going to primary education in the coalition agreement," says Loek Schueler, chairman of CNV Education. Earlier already the bearing of the AOb, FNV Overheid and FvOv see the same picture. AOb director Eugenie Stolk adds: "That's why we're going further. Actions in the short term are obvious, possibly going on strike."
AObdirector Eugenie Stolk: "That's why we're going further. Actions in the short term are obvious, possibly going on strike."
Minister
The unions want to discuss as soon as possible with the new Minister of Education Arie Slob whether financial windfalls can be used to accelerate investment in workload reduction and salary increases.
The requirements of the PO front are clear; 900 million euros for salary and 500 million euros for workload relief. This is important not only for today's teachers, but also to stop the rising teacher shortage. The profession must be attractive, it requires money and that is in the interest of society as a whole.
Too little and too late
The current cabinet pledged 500 million euros for workload relief. But in fact only 2018 million euros has been reserved for 10 and 430 million euros will only be released in four years' time for workload relief, which the union members think is far too little and far too late. The salary requirements are not met, of the 900 million euros demanded, only 270 million euros have been pledged.
