Latvian teachers prepare to strike over salaries

Latvian teachers have announced plans for a strike over low salaries, reports LETA. 

Ingrida Mikisko, head of the Latvian Trade Union of Education and Science Employees, said teachers are demanding efforts commence on upgrading the remuneration system in order to eliminate inequality in teacher salaries. The union also wants teacher salaries to be increased by 10 percent annually.

According to Mikisko, the first step is to send a letter listing the union's demands to the Education and Science Ministry, Saeima and Finance Ministry.

The results of the union's talks with politicians and further steps were discussed at a meeting of the Trade Union of Education and Science Employees' board on Nov. 7.

Around 2,000 teachers and scientists from all over Latvia participated in a rally at the Saeima building on Oct. 24 to protest the 2014 budget bill and demand respectable salaries.

Mikisko said teachers are ready for reforms and changes, but their salaries remain the lowest in Europe. Due to low salaries and teacher overwork, Latvia is close to losing education quality, she said.