Teachers’ unions threaten protest action over pay increases

The two largest trade unions representing teachers have threatened to take strike action if the Polish government once again breaks its promise concerning a pay increase in the education sector. Moreover, the trade unions have made clear their disapproval of the current Minister of Education, Roman Giertych.

Between 8 January and 15 February 2007, teachers in Poland took part in a referendum in which they were asked by the two largest trade unions representing teachers to express their views on possible strike action over pay increases. The trade unions involved were the Independent and Self-Governing Trade Union Solidarity (Niezalezny Samorzadny Zwiazek Zawodowy ‘Solidarnosc’, NSZZ Solidarnosc) and the Polish Teachers’ Union (Zwiazek Nauczycielstwa Polskiego, ZNP). As a result of the government’s lack of commitment to a definite pay rise for teachers, the question addressed by the trade unions to their members was as follows:

In light of the pernicious government policy which undermines the educational system, and also in light of the abandonment of the promised 7% pay increase for teachers, are you in favour of launching a one-day warning strike of education employees?

Pay rise promised by government

Both NSZZ Solidarnosc and ZNP argue that the government has not followed up on its promise to introduce pay increases in the education sector. According to the original announcement by the government, remuneration levels in the education sector were to increase by 7%. Subsequently, this figure was revised to reflect a 5% increase. However, the most recent announcement by the government in relation to remuneration of teachers made reference to a pay rise of just over 2%, which is significantly less than what was originally promised by the government. In this regard, the trade unions are worried that even this modest pay increase is not guaranteed.

Trade union reaction

The determination of both trade unions is evident in their rejection of the recent proposal by the Prime Minister, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, who declared that his government would be willing to allocate over €100 million for pay increases in the education sector. The trade unions have remained firm in their resolve to hold a referendum on the possibility of strike action.

The trade unions have also addressed a letter to Prime Minister Kaczynski in which they requested an urgent meeting to discuss work and pay conditions in the education sector. NSZZ Solidarnosc has called on the government to present a ‘clear strategy for state action with respect to the final model for financing various educational and care tasks’. Moreover, the trade unions have made clear their disapproval of the current Minister of Education, Roman Giertych.

The looming protest action will, by all indications, involve members of the sector’s largest trade union organisations – ZNP and the National Science and Education Secretariat of NSZZ Solidarnosc.

Rafal Towalski, Institute of Public Affairs