Teachers' strike set to begin Monday in Lithuania, union expects up to 600 schools to join
Lithuania's Education Workers' Union plans to launch a nationwide teachers' strike on Monday if no pay agreement is reached. Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius urges the union to "know its limits", citing the state budget deficit.
A teachers' strike is due to begin at some schools in Lithuania on Monday unless an agreement on higher pay for educators is reached beforehand. Andrius Navickas, chairman of the Lithuanian Education Workers' Union, issued the warning, according to the portal of public broadcaster LRT. The strike is a protest against the teacher pay rise written into next year's state budget, which the union considers insufficient, and it could affect school operations across the country.
The union's demands
The union wants the base salary coefficient for teachers raised by 10%. It is dissatisfied with the government's planned 7.56% pay increase for next year, which would amount to between 92 and 152 euros net. According to the union, a 10% rise would bring teachers to 130% of the national average monthly wage set out in the education agreement.
Navickas said this could become the largest teachers' protest to date. He noted that several hundred schools could join immediately, with the total potentially reaching 500–600. Exact participation figures will only become clear on Monday morning. Many schools are expected to close completely, while elsewhere only some teachers will strike. Those taking part will not conduct lessons. The union also plans joint protests, possibly together with other sectors, including rallies outside the Seimas, Lithuania's parliament. Navickas said the protest may last several weeks, while the budget is being discussed and until an agreement is reached.
The prime minister's response
Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius urged the union to "know its limits". He pointed to the large state budget deficit and said 245 million euros have been allocated to teachers and educators for next year, adding that, in his words, no other group of employees in the country is paid so well. In his view, the limit depends on financial capacity rather than political wishes. Sinkevičius added that he understands unions defend their members' interests, but wants to avoid "driving the state into a corner".
Other education unions do not plan to join the strike.
