Work at nurseries, elementary and secondary schools was interrupted by over 130,000 employees, Vondrackova said. The unions are dissatisfied with the government's promise to increase this year's budget of schools by an extra half-billion crowns.
They demand at least three billion. The unions also mind the offered increase targeting only teachers but not other school employees. The government Projects ... has promised to earmark another 4 billion crowns for schools next year. The unions say the promised pay rise is not sufficient to compensate for the suddenly risen inflation rate this year. "We expect the afternoon protest outside the Government Office to be joined by at least 3,000 people," Vondrackova added. At least one coach is heading for Prague from each of the 13 regions. Vondrackova said. The rally will also be attended by representatives of other trade union branches. At least 50 percent of schools are on strike in Prague, head of the Prague trade union Eva Dvorackova said. The figure is probably higher as not all schools have announced their participation, she added. In Prague, students were given a day off. Education Minister Ondrej Liska (Greens) told about 20 teachers at a Prague school that a robust increase in the educational budget was only possible after the state were able to afford it. This should first become an issue of the coalition agreement, he added. "I will not promise more than what is possible," Liska said. The problem cannot be resolved within two years, the solution must be scheduled within a number of years, he added. The schools trade union has about 47,000 members. Last December, some 128,000 school personnel at 5850 schools joined a strike for more money for salaries and teaching aids. ($1 = 15.762 crowns)
(Ceske Noviny)
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