Educators and faculty in Saxony are preparing for another warning strike, just a day before the upcoming collective bargaining session for state employees. This time, they'll be rallying in front of the Ministry of Finance in Dresden on the day of the event.
Recent reports indicate that 7,000 educators from Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia participated in a demonstration in Leipzig. The impact on schools was significant, ranging from providing emergency care to primarily scheduled lessons.
The collective bargaining negotiations with the federal states are set to take place in Potsdam on Thursday. Among their demands, the unions are pushing for a 10.5% pay increase, with a minimum increase of €500. The focus of national negotiations is on raising salaries for approximately 2.5 million workers.
The teacher and educational staff unions in Saxony have historically advocated for better pay and improved conditions, a trend that continues to this day. If their demands for higher salaries and better working conditions remain unmet, further strikes and demonstrations in Saxony's education sector are likely.
Mathematics teachers in Saxony enjoy the highest salaries in the STEM sector, with a monthly income of €5,178. Beginner public school teachers in Saxony earn €3,442 per month, with the potential for experienced teachers to earn up to €4,650.
Germany has a strong union tradition dating back to the 19th century. Increasing demands for higher wages and better working conditions are a result of this tradition, especially as the cost-of-living crisis intensifies due to rising inflation, particularly in the public sector.
In recent years, strikes have become more common in Germany, contributing to a growing labor market controversy. Constructive dialogues and collective bargaining can help resolve workers' concerns and prevent strikes. Strengthening the role of works councils and employee representatives in decision-making processes can also help address workers' concerns, ultimately reducing labor unrest and unemployment.
Addressing salary increases and improving working conditions in Saxony are among the top demands for educators. Skills mismatches in the labor market must also be addressed to foster overall well-being in the state's education sector. A two-pronged approach, paired with constructive dialogues, may lead to favorable outcomes for educators in Saxony.
Demands:
- Wage Increases: The Verdi union is seeking a one-time payment of 320 euros and an annual 3% salary increase for employees over a 10-month period. In addition, there's a specific demand for a more substantial wage hike for fire department employees of two euros per hour.
- Improved Working Conditions: The strike is also related to addressing the broader issue of excessive workloads and stress on school leaders. Offering more support staff and flexible working hours might help alleviate these issues, improving job satisfaction.
Possible Solutions:
- Negotiations and Collective Bargaining: The Verdi union is engaging in collective bargaining to address the wage demands. The union criticizes the initial offer of a 1.4% annual raise as inadequate, advocating for more substantial increases.
- Administrative Support: Addressing the administrative burdens on school leaders involves providing additional support staff to assist with tasks, similar to CEOs having assistants. This allows school leaders to focus more on educational development and less on administrative tasks.
- Appreciation and Recognition: Increasing appreciation and recognition for school leaders and teachers could improve job satisfaction. This might include better pay, more flexible working hours, and public recognition for their contributions.
- State-Level Interventions: The state of Saxony could intervene by increasing the public school budget to improve educational resources and teacher salaries. For instance, Saxony has already seen significant increases in STEM teacher salaries.
By addressing these demands through negotiations, administrative reforms, and state-level interventions, it is possible to resolve the ongoing strike and improve the wages and working conditions of educational staff in Saxony.
