'Additional government contribution needed for higher wages in education'
After the trade unions, employers now also believe that wages in education should be raised. "They feel the hot breath of their staff on the neck," says AObdriver Jelmer Evers.
The cabinet must make extra money available in order to be able to agree on a 'good and competitive' salary in the education collective agreements. That write employers in education today to the cabinet. 'An acute and urgent teacher shortage and the historically unprecedented high inflation figures make this necessary', write the PO Council, VO Council, MBO Council and the Association of Universities of Applied Sciences and Universities of the Netherlands.
The municipalities, the hospitals and even the banks are already in full action and on strike
“Employers are finally starting to move,” says Evers. The collective labor agreement negotiations in secondary education been running rough for a while, because the commitment of the employers is miles away from what the AOb, FNV and other unions want.
“In the meantime, we see that there is plenty of action and strikes in other sectors,” says Evers. “Like hospitals, municipalities, public transport and even banks. And those actions have results. We are also working on one in secondary education signature action which is going very well, there is a lot of support and that is also an indication of the willingness to take action. That is why employers are now knocking on the door of the cabinet: they feel the hot breath of their staff and of the education unions on their necks.”
Two-stage rocket
A problem with collective labor agreement negotiations in education is that they are a two-stage rocket. The government gives money to the employers, who negotiate with the trade unions about the level of wages on the basis of that amount.
But exactly how much money the employers receive from the cabinet is a secret. Negotiations are therefore often a game of cat and mouse. The employers state that they really have not had more money from the government to further increase wages, and the unions doubt that - but cannot prove it.
I'm afraid that, if extra money comes at all, it will be too little, too late
“Because those negotiations always go hazy, we would like to negotiate directly with the relevant ministers,” says Evers. He hopes that the cabinet will take the employers' call to heart. “Politics is also really involved here. If we want good education for every student, this also includes a good salary for teaching staff. But I am afraid that, if extra money comes at all, it will be too little, too late.”
May holiday
And in the meantime, collective bargaining in secondary education continues as usual. “If the employers do not come up with a good wage offer before the May holidays – and firm promises about class time, then I certainly do not rule out actions,” says Evers. “Teachers and support staff are just as hard hit by inflation as hospital staff, bus drivers and bankers. So people in education are also entitled to a decent wage increase and a good collective labor agreement."
In other sectors, these good collective agreements have come about through collective actions and strikes, says Evers. "I therefore also call on everyone in secondary education to sign the signature list at your school, speak out about this and persuade your colleagues to support our joint efforts. Only together will we ensure a strong profession."
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