What is there relation to the Sectoral Agreement?
Just like in 2017, the parties negotiating the sectoral agreement for educators would need to sit down and discuss working hours. This also brings to the table the number of contact hours educators are supposed to work with students in school.
If increasing the hours of work for all educators is the only way forward to substantially increase allowances, then the parties negotiating are completely detached from educators in general.
Could it be that the MUT is under so much pressure that it needs to close the deal as soon as possible and accept an increase in hours to justify a financial increase?
If hypothetically this scenario were to take place in the coming months, and working hours are somehow increased to accommodate working parents, we would see an exodus in the teaching profession.
Sports clubs and studios offering various forms of arts and the Catholic Church would immediately be obliged to scramble to find alternative times to reschedule their established programs. Therefore, we do not exclude the possibility that they would promptly put pressure on the current Minister to rethink this position.
The UPE has made it clear several times that it is not in favour of an increase in hours or changes in contractual times. This stance has also been communicated directly to the authorities and other Ministry officials.
The UPE’s intervention on this matter is of utmost importance as we need to prevent any attempts by negotiating parties to propose drastic changes that are against educators.