Questions and answers about the October 5 strike

Tekst Algemene Onderwijsbond - 5 september 2017 - 9 Minuten om te lezen

Who are called to take part in the strike?

De Algemene Onderwijsbond (AOb) calls on all members in primary and special (secondary) education to strike on Thursday 5 October for a fair salary and less workload in primary education. The education unions FNV Overheid, CNV Education, AVS and the Federation of Educational Trade Organizations (FvOv) are also calling on their members for a massive strike. This strike is organized from the PO front, in which PO inaction and the PO council are also united.

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 about two weeks in advance, stating further information. We will also inform your school board in good time 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. We ask you – if you want to be eligible for a benefit – to register yourself. Therefore, take your strike notice with you to the strike meeting in The Hague, this is also your ticket for the bus and registration form. You can register both on the bus and at the strike location (Zuiderpark, The Hague) by handing in your strike notice on the bus or depositing it in the appropriate mailboxes.

I have not received a strike call, but I do work in primary or special education.

You will receive the formal strike notice by post. If you have recently become a member, it is possible that you have not received anything yet. Then take contact without obligation.

I lost my strike call. What should I do?

Please take as soon as possible contact on with the AOb.

What is the purpose of the strike?

We want the government to quickly take a meaningful first step by increasing the funding of the staff budget of schools in order to increase the salaries for teachers in primary education. The PO front demands money for a fair and just salary that is comparable to the salary of teachers in secondary education. This requires 900 million euros in the education budget. In addition, we 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 teaching support staff, more time to prepare lessons, less administrative burden and smaller classes. 500 million is needed for this. read more.

Where is the strike meeting held?

The Zuiderpark in The Hague will be the place where the strike meeting will start on Thursday 5 October from 13.00 p.m. The site is open from 11.30 am. Buses run to Zuiderpark from all over the country. On www.pofront.nl you can sign up for bus transport soon. Members of AOb, CNV Education and FNV Government travel free of charge, members of other unions and non-members have a personal contribution. The precise transport arrangement will follow as soon as possible.

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. At the registration site you can show that you agree with the action bet and 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 activities. The competent authority can withhold salary from the hours not worked.

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

A strike is a fundamental right: you don't have to be a member of a union to step down and take advantage of the ultimate action tool. 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 at work. 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 resistance fund with which strikers can partly compensate for their lost salary. The maximum strike benefit is currently 61 euros per day and tax-free.

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 turn to 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 who threaten disciplinary measures, such as a written reprimand, suspension, transfer or dismissal. In such cases, please refer to 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 your board or management must take measures itself to ensure the reception of students. You are not responsible for that.

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

No. The AOb do not pass on your name 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.

Can I also send the registration in writing or digitally or can someone register on my behalf?

No (see previous question).

There is talk of 'strike benefits'; what's up with 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 have registered personally at one of the designated locations on the day of the strike. The maximum strike benefit is currently 61 euros per day and tax-free.

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.

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 their employer that they are leaving their work. If you are obliged to perform reintegration activities on the strike day, you can strike.

Can educational support staff (OOP) also strike?

Of course, members who work as oopers can participate out of solidarity and in that case must also register as a striker. The strike is aimed at teacher salary and workload reduction in primary education. We advocate an investment plan to give the sector a significant boost. This also concerns the educational support staff. The AOb also calls for salary improvement for educational support staff, as these actions are not directly aimed at.

Can I also strike as a board member?

Members who work as board members can also strike out of solidarity and in this case must also register as a striker. The strike is aimed at teachers' salaries and work pressure reduction in primary education. We advocate an investment plan to give the sector a significant boost. This also applies to the management staff.

I am a teacher and I am already in the LB scale. Does it make sense for me to strike?

The strike is aimed at a structural improvement of the teacher salary and workload reduction in primary education. We advocate an investment plan to give the sector a significant boost. First of all, this is about getting rid of the LA scale. The AOb also advocates salary improvement for all teaching staff, including teachers who already have an LB scale. More information about this can be found in the salary step-by-step plan. In addition to salary, there is also a strike for workload reduction, which 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 on October 5. If you are going on strike, you must report this to your employer. However, it is up to you whether you also go to The Hague. 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. Mind you, coming to The Hague means the necessary, optimal pressure on politicians in The Hague.