Questions and answers about the September 12 strike

Tekst Algemene Onderwijsbond - 11 september 2018 - 10 Minuten om te lezen

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Who are called to take part in the strike?

De Algemene Onderwijsbond (AOb) calls on all members in primary education and special (secondary) education who work at a school in the provinces of South Holland and Zeeland to strike on Wednesday 12 September for a fair salary and less work pressure in primary education. The education unions FNV Overheid, CNV Onderwijs and the Federation of Education Trade Unions (FvOv) are also calling on their members for a massive strike. This strike is organized by the PO front, in which PO in Actie, AVS and the employers' organization PO council are also united. This strike is the latest in a series of relay strikes previously held in other provinces.

There is one big one on September 12 demonstration march in Rotterdam where we gather from 11.30 am on Wilhelminaplein and walk via the Erasmus Bridge to Het Park at the Euromast. From 13.30 pm there will be a short event on the Kievitsweide in Het Park near the Euromast.
Make sure to come to Rotterdam by public transport, the Wilhelminaplein is easily accessible by metro.

Can a union declare a strike just like that?

The legitimacy of a strike can be tested by an employer or other interested party in court. In the case of strike actions in primary and secondary education, extra rigorous testing applies because of the consequences for compulsory school pupils: among other things, the care options for pupils who would otherwise be taught are examined. Declaring a strike is therefore not a frivolous decision and is not done 'just like that'.

Yes I want to strike! What should I do?

All AObmembers will receive a strike notice at home around Saturday 1 September. Your school board will also be informed in good time by us about the day and time of the strike. It is not the responsibility of the members participating in the strike to provide care for any students.

If you want to be eligible for a benefit, we ask you to register if you stop working on September 12. That can be done in different ways. The easiest way is digitally on the strike day via www.aob.nl / ikstaak, the form can only be reached on Wednesday 12 September. You can also hand in your strike notice at the event in Rotterdam or at one of the four registration points in South Holland or Zeeland.

The registration points are:

The Squid
Dog Gallows Road 5
3247 XW Dirksland (South Holland)

Princess Ireneschool
Honeysuckle Street 63
4461 NK Goes (Zeeland)

BS The Chameleon
Lily street 26
4537 RJ Terneuzen (Zeeland)

St. Willibrord School
High Mill Street 41
4301 KB Zierikzee (Zeeland)

I lost my strike call. What should I do?

Contact the employees of the Information and Advice Center (IAC) of the AOb. You can find the contact details via this link.

What is the purpose of the strike?

With the strike in South Holland and Zeeland, the PO front closes the relay strikes throughout the Netherlands. AObboard member Eugenie Stolk: “A week before Prinsjesdag, we want to make it clear that the cabinet really needs to step up with investments in primary education. Yes, something has been done about the workload. Yes, money has been made available for salary improvement, but the salary gap with secondary education has not yet been closed. If we want to solve the teacher shortage, the profession really has to become more attractive. ” The PO front demands money for a fair and just salary that is comparable to the salary of secondary school teachers. This requires 900 million euros in the education budget. We also want the government to take extra financial measures to curb the workload for teachers, so that teams in schools can tackle the workload together. For example by ensuring: more hands in the school, more educational support staff, more time to prepare lessons, less administrative burden and smaller classes. This requires 500 million euros. Read more at the website from the PO front.

Is there a strike meeting?

Yes! In Rotterdam we love a demonstration. We will gather at the Wilhelminaplein from 11.30 am and walk from 12.00 am via the Erasmus Bridge to Het Park at the Euromast. At 13.30 pm there will be a short event on the Kievitsweide at Het Park near the Euromast. There is music and there are speakers. The program and all locations, public transport routes can be found via this link find.

You can hand in your strike notice at the central action in Rotterdam. You can also register digitally, for that you need your membership number and the school code. You can also hand in your strike notice at one of the four registration points in South Holland or Zeeland. (See above).

I am a part-timer and I do not work on strike day. Do I have to register?

No. If you are not scheduled on the strike day and are therefore not obliged to work, you do not have to report to the management / board as a striker. When registering, as a sympathizer you can show that you agree with the action commitment and that you show solidarity with the strikers.

I don't normally teach at the moment of strike. However, I am expected to perform other activities at the time of action. Can I strike and can the employer withhold salary?

Yes, that's possible. You can participate in the strike and therefore do not have to perform any other work. The competent authority can withhold salary from the hours not worked.

I am not a member, but I would like to strike

Striking is a fundamental right: you don't have to be a member of a trade union to step down and use the ultimate means of action. Only: those who are not a member must be prepared to accept the personal consequences of taking part in a strike. For example, an employer can cut your salary: after all, you are not working. Possible legal consequences are also for your own account. You can also become a member of the on strike day AOb. In that case, you must remain a member for at least one year and you are assured of legal assistance and you will still receive a strike benefit.

I am a member of the AOb and wants to strike

Ordered before AObmembers, legal aid is arranged for the duration of the strike declared by the union. Moreover de Algemene Onderwijsbond about a strike fund with which strikers can partly compensate for their lost salary. The maximum strike benefit is currently 62 euros per day and tax-free. After the strike, complete the loss of wages form and send it to the AOb. You will find that form soon at this page of AOb-website.

I want to strike, but my colleagues don't

The strike call is a personal call. In other words: everyone decides on their own action participation. Of course it is wise to include the working conditions and relationships with and to colleagues in the decision.

My employer / manager of the school forbids me to strike

Participation in a union-proclaimed collective action requires a personal decision, which no one has to consent to. The AObmembers can contact the Information and Advice Center of the AOb.

What measures can the competent authority take?

The past shows that despite the right to strike, there are still school boards that threaten to take disciplinary measures, such as a written reprimand, suspension, transfer or dismissal. In such cases, consult the AOb.

The call to strike means, among other things, that no responsibility is taken for the reception of students. What exactly does that mean?

This means that the board or management itself must take measures to provide for the care of students. You are not responsible for that.

Are the names of the strikers passed on to the competent authority?

No. The AOb does not pass on names to the management. Experience shows that school boards sometimes ask board members to provide names. If there is a 'service assignment' such a request cannot be refused. If a manager takes part in the action himself / herself, he / she can appeal to the board on 'not knowing'. It is part of the rules of due care to notify the competent authority of the numbers of strikers at the school. This in connection with the need for the competent authority to arrange childcare for the pupils.

As a supervisor, do I have to provide the names of the strikers?

See answer to the previous question.

I have a temporary appointment. I am a substitute. Can I strike?

The right to strike is not linked to a temporary or permanent appointment.

Do I have to register?

We ask you to register yourself so that we know who participated. This is important for obtaining a strike benefit.

There is talk of 'strike benefits', what about that?

As a member of the AOb strike and register, a strike benefit can be paid. The regulation is that payment only takes place if the competent authority has withheld the salary. A copy of the salary slip showing this deduction must be sent with the application for the benefit. You must also register on the day of the strike at the manifestation in Rotterdam or at one of the four registration points by submitting your strike notice. You can also register digitally on September 12 via the page: www.aob.nl / task. This page is only available on the day itself.

The maximum strike benefit is currently 62 euros per day and tax-free. You can find the wage loss form for the strike in September via this link download. You can send this form together with proof of the salary deduction to Algemene Onderwijsbond in the name of the board, Antwoordnummer 4332, 3500 VE Utrecht.

Can a non-striking colleague be obliged to take over the lesson (s) from a striking colleague?

No. The non-striking colleague can be charged with taking care of students whose lessons are canceled because the teacher involved takes part in the strike. This within the agreements on 'reception' of classes in the school's task policy.

What is the period in which I have to notify my employer that I am on strike?

As quickly as possible. A reasonable period of time is up to three days in advance. The arrangements for the care of the children are of reasonable importance.

Do I have to make up for the stopped hours?

No. Striking is a fundamental right. The suspended hours do not have to be made up. For this, the board must find another solution when the teaching time threatens to be missed. Read more about this here this article.

I am (partially) ill. Can I strike?

If you are on sick leave on the day of the strike, you cannot strike: anyone who is not obliged to perform work on that day cannot notify his employer that he is leaving his work. If you are obliged to perform reintegration activities on the strike day, you can strike.

Can educational support staff (OOP) also strike?

Naturally! We advocate an investment plan to give the sector a significant boost. The AOb also argues for this relay strike in Zeeland and South Holland a salary improvement for educational support staff. Are you going on strike? Then register as a striker.

Can I also strike as a board member?

Hell yes. This last relay strike a week before Budget Day, we want to make it clear that the cabinet really needs to step up with investments in primary education. To solve the teacher shortage, we need to make the profession more attractive. That is why we argue for an investment plan to give the sector a significant boost and the AOb also advocates this latest strike a salary improvement for school leaders.

I am a teacher and I am already in the LB scale (in the new collective labor agreement the L11 scale). Does it make sense for me to strike?

We advocate an investment plan to give the sector a significant boost. The AOb also advocates salary improvement for all teaching staff. More information about this can be found in the Salary step-by-step plan. In addition to salary, there are also strikes for workload reduction, this applies to all teaching staff working in primary education.

Am I obliged to come to school on strike day?

It is an individual choice to participate in the strike. If you are going on strike, you must report this to your employer. You can really know for yourself whether you are going to school, staying at home or planning another activity with the team. However, you do not have to go to school, because you are on strike. Your employer will therefore not fill in for you how you will spend the strike day.