The head of the Education Workers' Union, Reemo Voltri, said that the state did not foresee the 2025 salary increase. If the average annual salary is now projected to be 2050 euros, the minimum salary for teachers should be the same. Voltri mentioned that they submitted an application and documents to the state conciliator. The state conciliator has taken up the matter and will meet with various stakeholders.
Voltri met with the state conciliator Meelis Virkebau at the end of May. Subsequently, he will have to meet with the Minister of Education and representatives of school administrators. After that, a conciliation meeting will take place, where the circumstances will be reviewed and the possibility of a compromise will be decided.
Liina Põld, the Deputy Chancellor of the Ministry of Education and Research, said that financial obligations cannot be taken under the coalition agreement. The government will discuss this in the autumn during the budget strategy discussion and budget negotiations. Põld mentioned that the differentiated part of teachers' salaries will increase to 24 percent by 2028. Negotiations on the minimum rate are still ahead.
If the ministry says it does not see the possibility of a salary increase, the conciliation process will be considered failed. In this case, teachers will have the right to strike. Voltri said that by autumn this process should be completed. When budget discussions are underway and local elections are on the horizon, there is an opportunity to express concern about Estonian education.
Voltri said that something needs to change quickly for both current and future teachers. He stated that they are in a catastrophe because there are not enough teachers. The current salary policy does not attract people to the teaching profession. Voltri noted that the market will put things in order.
Liina Põld confirmed that the state has adhered to the 2025 agreements. The new academic year may bring thoughts of organizing a union strike. Põld hopes that the negotiations will lead to an increase in the minimum rate.