Tensions in education: 75% of employees ready to strike

Almost three-quarters of employees in the Romanian education system say they are willing to participate in a strike, according to a survey conducted by the Federation of Education Unions (FSE) "SPIRU HARET”. The data reflects a high level of tension among education personnel, amid the austerity measures adopted by the Government. The research, conducted between January 14 and 31, involved over 17,000 employees in the education system. Of the respondents, 87.4% are teachers, 6.9% are part of the auxiliary teaching staff, and 5.7% are administrative, non-teaching employees. According to the survey, 74.7% of participants say they are willing to participate in a strike, and 71.7% say they would take part in street protests organized at a local level.

• Impact of government measures, perceived as "very negative”

A significant percentage of respondents, 70.5%, consider that the measures imposed by the Bologna Government have had a "very negative” impact on their professional activity. The trade union federation claims that these policies seriously affect the functioning of the education system and accentuate already existing problems, especially in the context of budgetary constraints. The survey results form the basis of a short- and medium-term trade union strategy, aimed at responding to the dissatisfaction expressed by employees. In a first stage, scheduled for March, the FSE "SPIRU HARET” Board of Leaders decided to launch a national referendum for non-participation in national exam simulations and for launching some forms of strike. The decision is supported by the fact that 53.6% of respondents willing to protest consider it appropriate to organize trade union actions during the simulations.

• General strike, possible in May

According to the federation, if the Government does not reconsider the measures considered "anti-education" by April, a new referendum will be organized, this time to trigger a general strike in the last decade of May. The questionnaire was completed anonymously, and the data was analyzed exclusively for statistical and union information purposes. Representatives of the FSE "SPIRU HARET" specify that the results of the survey cannot be used directly to trigger extreme protest actions - such as not completing school situations, not participating in national exams or a general strike - for which a formal referendum, signed by union members, is necessary.