Teachers in Chemnitz and Zwickau Little City and Zwickau Rally in Unison
Approximately 1,500 teachers heeded the call of various unions for a warning strike in Chemnitz and Zwickau on a damp Tuesday. "Despite the dismal weather, the turnout is remarkable, and we can hammer home our message prior to the next round of negotiations," declared the state head of the Saxon Teachers' Association (SLV), Michael Jung, upon request.
The cause for the daylong walkout is the stalled collective bargaining arrangements for the public sector of the federal states. The third round of negotiations is scheduled from December 7 to 9 in Potsdam. The unions are seeking a 10.5% increase in income, with a minimum of 500 euros more. Junior staff members are intended to receive a 200 euro boost – and to be granted permanent employment. The salary agreement is to run for a year. "It's also about acknowledging the value of their work," reiterated Jung.
Years of austere measures and staff reductions in the public sector have left the Free State in dire need of new teachers, according to Steffen Winkler, the SLV's wage negotiations representative. "However, the labor market is void, and the public sector is increasingly losing its allure for young professionals. Consequently, eight percent of teaching hours were canceled in Saxony during the last school year."
The unions have summoned teachers affiliated with public schools in Leipzig to participate in an all-day warning strike on November 28. Jung also aired plans for a similar demonstration in Dresden before the next round of negotiations.
The persistent collective bargaining spat within the public sector has sparked discussions regarding potential wage adjustments. For instance, universities and schools may be affected if the salary agreement incorporates modifications in public sector compensation. The teachers' strike in Chemnitz, Zwickau, and other cities is not merely about wages but also about acknowledging the relevance of the work they perform.
Sources:
Insights
The ongoing struggle for better remuneration and working conditions is not confined to Chemnitz and Zwickau, but extends to European schools in Brussels as well. Teachers at these schools have organized multiple strikes to push for equity and union support, as well as stability for locally recruited staff. Likewise, public transport workers in Berlin and universities in Berlin are also facing labor struggles, anticipating pay increases and budget cuts, respectively.
Enrichment Data
The collective bargaining issues experienced by teachers in Chemnitz, Zwickau, and Brussels share commonalities with other labor strikes occurring across Germany:
Current Status and Key Demands
European Schools in Brussels: - Strike Actions: Teachers at the European schools in Brussels are engaged in a series of strikes to advocate for better working conditions and equal rights for locally recruited staff.[1] - Demands: - Union Representation: The teachers demand the right to establish union representation and accept professional union support within the school. - Collective Bargaining: They aspire to participate in collective bargaining for better working conditions. - Protection and Facilities: They seek appropriate protection and facilities for union representatives to carry out their duties. - Stability for Locally Recruited Teachers: Ensuring the vitality needed for a decent life in the heart of Europe by securing the status of locally recruited teachers.
Related Strikes in Germany
While the precise strikes in Chemnitz and Zwickau have not been detailed, other labor struggles in Germany can be taken into account:
- BVG Strike: Public transport workers in Berlin, such as subway pilots, bus drivers, and tram captains, are striking for increased wages and benefits, including risk bonuses for shift work and an additional month’s holiday pay.[4]
- Higher Education Cuts: Universities in Berlin are grappling with budget reductions, which have resulted in hiring freezes and potential decreases in student places, particularly for less-popular subjects.[4]
These strikes underscore wider labor and educational challenges across Germany, but otherwise, the specific aspirations and initiatives of the teachers in Brussels are unique from these other labor actions.
