Tens of thousands of Romanian teachers went on strike on May 22 demanding substantial pay raises and calling for more investment in education.
An estimated 100,000-150,000 primary- and secondary-school teachers stopped work until the coalition government fulfills their demands.
Last-minute talks on May 21 between teachers’ unions and Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca’s government failed to reach an agreement. The strikers’ main demand is a starting salary for new teachers at least equal with the national average.
A fresh-out-of-university Romanian teacher’s monthly salary is the equivalent of just over $520 compared to the national average of $988.
Source: rferl
