The Lithuanian Education Employees’ Trade Union (LŠDPS) had 5,000 teachers striking in 230 scools for two hours on September 15 as a warning that there would be a wider, longer strike in late September. The union has applied for permission to organize pickets lasting about a month in front of the Education, Science and Sport Ministry building and in the square outside the parliament buildings. According to Union leader Andrius Navickas, tents would be set up at the gathering point and activities would be organized, according to Navickas.
If the strike is called, teachers working in Vilnius would gather in front of the parliament or the ministry buildings on September 29, and those living further away would march to the capital to join their colleagues. Navickas said the union is ready to continue talks up to the planned strike date and to call off the strike if a deal is reached by then.
The union is demanding, among other things, a 20 percent increase in teachers’ pay from September and a further 30 percent raise as of January, along with a reduction in class sizes.
Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė said that teachers’ salaries will be raised by 30 percent of the average wage next year, as stated in their contract, and that it will be done in two stages – in January and in September. According to the prime minister, teachers must understand that changing the budget in the middle of the year is impossible, and that raises can only come in 2024.
The Lithuanian Education and Science Professional Union is also considering a strike, and has also submitted wage and class-size requirements. Union president Egidijus Milešinas said that negotiations with the ministry are going well but he does not dismiss the possibility of a strike.
