Preschool workers demand better pay and working conditions amidst rising living costs. The average salary in the preschool education sector has fallen 30% below the national average, creating financial strain for workers. A Government proposal to raise wages by only 8%, with some receiving a 12% increase, has sparked widespread dissatisfaction. However, shortly after presenting this offer, the Government withdrew the proposed increase, further deepening frustrations. The Independent Union of Preschool Education and Care Workers is pushing for a 21% salary increase, ensuring that even the lowest-paid technical staff can earn above the minimum wage. This demand comes at a time when preschools are dealing with overcrowded classrooms and a shortage of essential staff, such as cooks, cleaners, and drivers.
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For more information, please contact Paul de Beer or Oana Ciuca, De Burcht (Scientific Bureau for the Dutch Trade Union Movement) p.t.debeer@uva.nl or the Head of communications at the ETUI, Mehmet Koksal mkoksal@etui.org. For previous full issues of the Collective bargaining newsletter please visit https://www.etui.org/Newsletters/Collective-bargaining-newsletter or consult the archive with all articles in our database at www.cbnarchive.eu.
You may find further information on the ETUI at www.etui.org.