Union leader says Czech teachers' strike will not be called off

Union leader Frantisek Dobsik has said he expects that schools in large Czech towns will take part in a strike in the education sector next Tuesday. The union official also said he expected more than half of all Czech schools to join the strike but added he would have precise number on Monday. On Friday the official warned there was no chance of the unions cancelling off the protest. The unions have called for an increase in the Education Ministry's planned 118.5 billion-crown budget for next year, pointing out that money will be lacking for teachers' wages, the purchase of school items and teachers' further specialisation. The unions have launched a petition that was signed by more than 64,000 people and they are negotiating on additional spending with the government and MPs. It seems likely that deputies will allot an additional one billion crowns for the Education Ministry but the unions have called for three times that amount.

Author: Jan Velinger