Thousands of Lithuanian Educators Commence Indefinite Strike
In Lithuania, one of the education workers' unions has declared an indefinite strike, with its members staging demonstrations in Vilnius and walking to the capital from other cities, according to LRT.
The Lithuanian Education Workers' Trade Union (LŠDPS) is demanding improved working conditions for teachers. The union's leader, Andrius Navickas, stated that the strike could last up to a month. Approximately 3,000 education sector employees are participating in the strike.
Jurgita Kiškienė, an English teacher and deputy chair of LŠDPS, stated that negotiations with the ministry did not convince her. "I felt like they came to the test with answers already prepared," she said.
According to the National Education Agency (NŠA), around 2,000 teachers and educators from approximately 100 educational institutions are currently on strike.
NŠA data reveals that most teachers on strike are in Klaipėda, Vilnius, Kaišiadorys district, Panevėžys, and Alytus.
To draw attention to their cause, some participants have chosen to walk to the capital from their towns and villages. For instance, the union leader and a group of ten teachers will be walking 150 kilometers from Zarasai, a town in northeastern Lithuania.
The Ministry of Education, Science, and Sport announced an agreement with four education worker unions, with whom they had been negotiating, except for LŠDPS. The agreement entails a two-stage wage increase, totaling 21% starting from 2024.
At 12 o'clock, the strikers are preparing for a protest outside the government building in Vilnius, and some teachers have traveled from Klaipėda and other cities to participate. Minister of Education, Science, and Sport Gintautas Jakshtas plans to join them.
Before noon, teachers from various cities gathered in Vinco Kudirka Square in front of the Government.
"If negotiations are organized, we will participate. We will not change our demands, and if we do not receive compromise proposals, not just an increase in the average wage," said the union's chairman.
Navickas stated that negotiations with Minister Gintautas Jakshtas may take place even if he is not present. His two deputies in Vilnius or remote negotiations will handle them.