School Trade Unionists Maintain Demand for Pay Increase for Education Staff

Bratislava, November 15 (TASR) - The Slovak education unionists continue to insist on a 10-percent salary increase for all education staff as of next year, union chairman Pavel Ondek stated following Friday's meeting at the Presidential Palace. According to Ondek, President Pellegrini acknowledged the need to stabilise the education sector while asking the union representatives to seek a compromise given the state's current financial situation. In the meanwhile, trade unionists insist on their demand for a 10-percent salary increase starting as of January 2025. Pellegrini assured the unionists that if they had any further concerns, they could expect his assistance and request another meeting any time, added Ondek. Ondek also announced that a silent protest would take place in schools on November 27, with employees due to wear black and present an open letter detailing the union’s demands. President Peter Pellegrini met education trade union representatives and the Education Minister Drucker (Voice-SD) on Friday to discuss the current state of the education sector and union demands, including a 10-percent increase in salaries for all employees in the education sector. The union highlighted that low salaries are contributing to the lack of interest in the teaching profession, and they called for higher pay for non-teaching staff, emphasising that schools cannot function without these workers. tl/mcs/mf