Novi sindikat supports the demands of the unions in the education system and their strike, recognizing it as a fundamental right of workers to pursue fairer working conditions through their unions. It is a sad fact that teachers and professors are underpaid given the importance and complexity of the work they perform. Dear teachers and professors, we hope your trade union activities bear fruit and that through this strike you can strengthen your dignity and professional respect throughout the Republic of Croatia.

The ongoing rolling strike of teachers and education workers has entered its tenth day. Despite threats of court injunctions and government pressure, the response to the strike in primary and secondary schools across the country remains extremely high. Since the beginning of the strike on October 10, turnout across counties has averaged about 80 percent. Clearly, workers are not giving up on their demand: a 6.11 percent increase for job complexity.

Every strike is an extremely valuable and rich experience, during which workers come together and new ideas arise, broadening the horizons of the workers’ struggle. This strike deserves every respect it is highly successful and powerful considering the percentage of participants, whether unionized or not. Teachers are not only fighting for money; they are also responding to attempts to divide the public service sector. For example, the prime minister’s offer to raise the base by 6.12 percent for all public services is seen as a way to turn other public service workers against educators. Now is the opportunity to show government trade union unity. Solidarity actions could include announcing solidarity strikes or holding supportive protests for teachers, demonstrating bravery and persistence in their struggle. This strike is worthy of union solidarity. Now is the time for police, military, customs officers, public transport drivers, utility workers, health workers, kindergarten staff, and private sector employees to show their support for teachers.