In Dalmatia, 6,300 teachers and professors strike: ‘We are not against the Government, they are against us’

Dalmatia once again showed what she thought about the policy of the Government of the Republic of Croatia about humiliation. About humiliation and beating the work of educators, scientists, university professors. They would have been discouraged and us, they tried to intimidate us. They failed! We are not here today against the Government, but at this point the government is against us. At this point the Government is against its own employees – he said Matija Kroflin, Secretary General of the Independent Union of Science and Higher Education.

‘Today we have not only strike for more fair salaries and dignified social status, but also for the future of this country’

The unions decided to start strikes in Dalmatia, since there was the best response to a one -day strike warning strike on March 19. The Ministry of Science and Education, however, claim that there is no reason for the strike.

– I thank all my colleagues who, despite the intimidation, and I will say openly, even pressures, remained consistent. Our ministers and prime ministers repeat like parrots that our salaries are excellent, that coefficients in education and science are ideal. However, the facts say differently. We never claimed that the salaries did not grow, they were, but many others grew significantly more than us, which we are socially degraded. And degradation of education and science is actually threatening the future of the whole society. Today, we have not only strike for a more fair salary and a dignified social status, but also for the future of this country – he said.

‘6300 employees participated in the strike’

– In these four Dalmatian counties, according to the preliminary data we currently has, a total of 6,300 employees of primary and secondary schools, college and public scientific institutes participated in the strike. We are satisfied with the response, and colleagues from elementary and secondary schools will be able to provide you with more detailed information about participating in these institutions – he said.

Recall that a circular strike has been implemented from Tuesdays in primary and secondary schools, colleges and institutes in Dalmatia, ie in Split-Dalmatia, Zadar, Šibenik-Knin and Dubrovnik-Neretva County. The government announced that the strike would not be paid.

– The figures are great! Dalmatia once again showed that she was strong, unique and determined. As for the Independent High School Union, according to preliminary results, as many as 80% of our members participated in the strike. There is no minister, Secretary of State, not even a prime minister who can ignore this fact and all these people around me – said Zrinko Turalija President of the Independent Union of High School Employees.

– From this place we clearly tell all our colleagues who have been on strike today, not only here, but also to those who will strike all over Croatia in the next two weeks: we will allow you to transport, organize buses and come together to Ban Jelacic Square, we will be counted there – he said Željko StipićPresident of the Union Rebirth.