European Trade Union Committee for Education

The indefinite strike in Germany's social and youth sector continues and the doors of the municipal day nurseries remain closed. Last Thursday, ETUCE's member organisation GEW announced this decision after a meeting of the Federal Bargaining Committee in the German town of Kassel. Thus, the strike enters now the third week.

GEW is now being publicly supported by the Federal Parents' Association of children at day nurseries (BEVKi). In a joint statement, GEW and BEVKi highlighted the partnership between educators and  parents in their joint responsibility for children's upbringing and development. The two organisations appealed to the Federation of Regional Employers' Associations (VKA) to meet the fair demands of the striking teachers and to table an offer. Despite the seriously difficult conditions which the already long-lasting strike pose to parents, the BEVKi emphasized yesterday that they stand with the striking educators of their children.

The strikers want to achieve better groupings within the pay scale for the municipally employed workers in the social and educational service facilities. According to GEW, the current average salary of educators is about 650 Euro below the average salary of all employees. The trade unions had terminated the previous remuneration agreement at the beginning of the year. Then, since the end of February they have negotiated unsuccessfully in five rounds with the Federation of Regional Employers' Associations (VKA). During last week, many strikers gathered in  street manifestations again to emphasize their demands and to draw the public's attention to their concerns.

"Of course, ETUCE has been following this important case in Germany closely." ,says ETUCE European Director Martin Rømer. "The teaching profession must be revalued and even upgraded in the eyes of the public which still seems to take quality education for granted. However, quality education must not be taken for granted. Quality education is the precondition for a safe and sustainable future of our children and beyond. This is why our members all over Europe keep sending out very clear signals to employers and politicians because they all pursue this very same important objective. It remains to be hoped that the decision makers will finally acknowledge the day to day efforts and efficiency particularly of teachers in early childhood education and shoulder their responsibility."

For more information visit GEW's website at http://www.gew.de and http://www.gew.de/Gemeinsame_Verantwortung_fuer_das_Aufwachsen_der_Kinder.html