Following an agreement by the coalition to raise the salaries of university teachers this year, the union is canceling the planned picket

According to Inga Vanaga, the chairman of LIZDA, publicly available information shows that at the government meeting on Tuesday, the ministers will approve the allocation of funding to increase the salaries of university teachers. She admits it is positive news, but received in the “last hundredth of a second” on the eve of the picket.

“Yes, the money will be allocated for four months, but LIZDA will definitely actively follow the further implementation of the schedule of teacher salary increases in 2021 and 2022,” Vanaga emphasizes.

The head of the organization expresses gratitude to the Council of LIZDA, members, the Latvian Medical Association, the Latvian Nurses ‘Association, the Latvian Rectors’ Council, the Latvian College Association, the Latvian University Association and the Latvian Free Trade Union Confederation. “We showed solidarity, together we made us heard. And together we made sure that we would continue to be heard,” Vanaga says.

Support for LIZDA’s claim was expressed by the Latvian Medical Association, which, in solidarity with teachers, demanded an increase in the remuneration of university teachers, as many doctors are also teachers. In a letter, the Latvian Nurses ‘Association stated that it supported LIZDA’s activities and teachers’ demands to observe the rule of law and justice in increasing the remuneration of all teachers, including university teachers.

LIZDA has also received letters of support from the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Culture, the Saeima faction “For Development / Par!” and Latvian College Associations. The Rectors’ Council has expressed support for the organization of the LIZDA protest action in order to advocate for the increase of the lowest salary rate for teachers, which is determined by the effective regulatory enactments.

As reported, the parties forming the government have agreed to increase the salaries of university teachers as of September 1 of this year, Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš (JV) opened today after a meeting with the coalition partners.

“We have agreed that a decision on raising the salaries of university teachers from September this year will be made at a government meeting tomorrow,” the politician said.

The leader of the new conservative party, the Minister of Justice Jānis Bordāns, added that funds have been found to increase the salaries of teachers for universities under the Ministry of Education and Science, as well as the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture.

Atis Zakatistovs, the leader of the party “KPV LV”, added that funds have been found for this year only.

As reported, from September 1, the lowest salary rate for general education, vocational education and interest education teachers will be increased from 750 euros to 790 euros per rate or 30-hour working week.

In turn, the schedule of increase in teachers’ salaries for higher education envisages that on September 1, 2020, the lowest salary rates in universities and colleges will increase to 1569 euros for professors instead of 1530 euros, for associate professors to 1256 euros instead of 1225 euros, for docents to 1005 euros instead of lecturers up to 805 euros instead of the previous 785 euros and assistants up to 641 euros instead of the current 625 euros.