Unionists demand minister's resignation, reject staff cuts

Members of education unions yesterday staged a protest at the headquarters of the Ministry of Education and Research, dissatisfied with the Executive's intention to further reduce staff costs in the education system. The protesters, members of the Federation of Free Trade Unions in Education, the Federation of Education Unions "Spiru Haret" and the National Trade Union Federation "Alma Mater", demanded the resignation of Minister Daniel David and chanted the slogan: "Repeal!". "A new day of protest in front of the Ministry of Education. Given that, after the aberrant anti-education measures ordered by Law no. 141/2025 and subsequent acts, education is already facing a lack of qualified personnel, inadequate salaries, excessive bureaucracy and an increased level of professional stress, the Government wants to cut another 10% of the budget and create an unprecedented crisis," the representatives of the "Spiru Haret" Federation sent on Facebook.

The trade unionists claim that the proposed measure, currently being discussed at the Victoria Palace, would be not only inopportune, but also deeply unfair, with direct effects on the quality of education and on children's rights. "Any cut that will be decided in the coming period will lead to a worsening of the personnel crisis, with direct consequences on children. We already have thousands of students who do not have qualified teachers in the classroom, and hundreds of teachers are giving up their paid hourly classes," the unions' statement said. Protesters demand the abandonment of measures to reduce personnel costs and sound an alarm on the negative effects of government decisions on the education system: "Education is not to blame for special pensions, for the failure to implement PNRR reforms or for cross-party corruption. Do not sacrifice the education system to cover your own interests!". Trade unionists demand immediate dialogue with the authorities and sustainable measures to ensure the continuity of education and the protection of teaching staff.