Protest of proportions in Education. Teachers take to the streets and threaten a general strike. The resignation of the minister is demanded

The teachers are protesting on Thursday in Piața Victoriei, along with other trade union confederations, against the austerity measures. The “Spiru Haret” Federation announces the launch of the referendum for the general strike, demanding the repeal of Law 141 and the resignation of the Minister of Education.

The president of the “Spiru Haret” Education Trade Union Federation, Marius Nistor. Photo: The truth

Teachers are among the most affected categories of the austerity measures adopted by Law 141. On Thursday, October 29, the “Spiru Haret” Federation of Education Unions will protest in Piața Victoriei, together with the unions from health, police, administration, transport, energy, agriculture, forestry, culture, social assistance, and other public companies. Union leaders are asking the Government to abandon the cuts and resume social dialogue.

The president of the “Spiru Haret” Federation, Marius Nistor, announced that after the demonstration a national referendum will be launched for the general strike in education. He claims that the protests can only stop if the Government repeals Law 141 and if the Minister of Education resigns.

“We say a resolute no to austerity and want unity between all socio-professional categories, both from the private and from the budgetary environment. The government tried to divide them, but every time the VAT increased or the prices of utilities and food exploded, all citizens were equally affected”Marius Nistor declared for “Adevărul”.

The union leader accuses the current government of a “hit directly in education” through measures that lead to merging schools, increasing the number of students in the classroom and reducing the income of teaching staff. “We have teachers commuting to four, even five towns to complete their term, others teaching subjects they never trained for. Hours have been reduced, court judgments have been delayed, and budgets have been cut without consultation. This cannot be called reform.”says Nistor.

In his opinion, Romania cannot talk about economic development as long as it allocates the lowest percentage of GDP to education among all European states. “Education is the engine of the economic development of a state. As long as we remain at the tail of Europe in terms of funding, we can have neither growth nor competitiveness. Unfortunately, the Bolojan Government only knows how to cut and lower the standard of living of those who work”Nistor said.

Marius Nistor: “The Minister of Education threw the system into chaos”

The union leader accuses the Minister of Education, Daniel David, of “threw the pre-university system into chaos” and that he continued the austerity measures under the pretext of budgetary stability.

“The minister is trying to convince himself that the fiscal-budgetary storm has passed, but the reality is different. The number of unqualified people has increased, we have simultaneous classes and teachers who commute to five localities so that they can complete their norm. Through Ordinance 52, the payments of court judgments have been postponed until 2026, although we were promised that there will be no more cuts. The minister should return to UBB, where he can do better”said the leader of “Spiru Haret”.

Teachers launch referendum for general strike

Marius Nistor confirmed that the “Spiru Haret” Federation will immediately start the consultation procedure for triggering a general strike in the education system after Thursday's protest.

“After the rally in Piața Victoriei we will launch the referendum for the general strike. It is not just about teachers' dissatisfaction, but about measures that hit the students and the whole system. The strikes will be organized so that they have effects at key moments of the school year, to put real pressure on the governors”Nistor said.

He stated that tomorrow's teachers' protest will last until 1 p.m. “The time of picketing is over. You cannot rally with 40 thousand people every day. Our message is clear, and the next step is the referendum for the general strike”said the leader of the “Spiru Haret” Federation.

Simion Hăncescu, president of the Federation of Free Trade Unions in Education (FSLI), warns that the Government “systematically pushes education staff towards a general strike”. “The measures taken and continued by the Government do nothing but cause the teachers to react radically. Paradoxically, a general strike would suit the Government, because it would save billions of lei”said Hăncescu.

The claims of the other sectors: health, transport and public order

Tomorrow's protest in Piața Victoriei is organized by the main trade union confederations, including “Spiru Haret”, Cartel Alfa and SANITAS. Their representatives ask the Government to withdraw the austerity package and return to negotiations for a fair salary policy.

And health workers have urgent claims. Leonard Bărăscu, president of CNSLR-Frătia, stated that “increases calculated at the level of salaries from 2018 are still being paid”, and inflation indexation was postponed.

Maximo Rodrigo, the leader of the Federation of Rail Transporters' Unions, called for investment and modernization. “We only have 600 kilometers of modernized railway out of a total of 10,600. We need new trains, not austerity”he stated.

Police and military also join the protest. Vasile Zelca, president of SNPPC, said that the lack of predictability in salary and retirement affects the entire system. “The increase in VAT and energy prices affects us in the same way as all Romanians. We demand respect for the law and stability for the police, military and contractual staff”he stated.

Unions' common call: stop austerity

The unions are asking the Government to stop the austerity measures applied to the population and to repeal Law 141, which has generated discontent in education and administration. In the joint appeal sent publicly, the trade union confederations request an increase in the minimum wage and pensions, the enforcement of the wage law, the payment of final court decisions, the unblocking of health posts and investments in infrastructure and the economy.

“It is time for the collective mobilization of all workers, students, pensioners and young people who no longer accept inequity and contempt for honest work. We no longer want to be victims of a system that promotes austerity and incompetence.” send the trade union confederations.