Prepare for Potential School Disruptions: GEW Announces Three-Day Strike in Berlin
Union advocates for three-day warning demonstrations in educational institutions - Union advocates for a three-day warning work stoppage in educational institutions
Get ready, parents! Schools in the bustling city of Berlin might experience three-day strikes starting from May 13 to May 15. The Education and Science Union (GEW) is instigating this action, encouraging all employed teachers, educators, social pedagogues, and school psychologists to participate.
The Union's demands have been constant for a while now: a collective bargaining agreement focusing on health protection measures, such as smaller class sizes and relief for staff. The GEW has resorted to warning strikes repeatedly, hoping to generate pressure on the Berlin Senate.
However, the Senate seems to resist these demands, citing Berlin's membership in the Tariff Union of the States (TdL) as the reason it cannot independently negotiate such deals. According to the Senate, collective bargaining agreements must be approved by the TdL, not just Berlin alone.
With the pressing need for smaller class sizes, Berlin, like other federal states, grapples with a teacher shortage. This shortage is precisely why many school employees feel overwhelmed.
On a broader scale, a separate petition emphasizes the pressures facing the education system. It highlights how staffing shortages and funding cuts endanger the quality of childcare, aligning with GEW's concerns about working conditions.
While updated information on the Berlin Senate's stance specific to GEW's demands is limited, the union's persistence in organizing strikes underscores the ongoing nature of their demands as of April 2025. If you're curious about the broader education context and institutional autonomy, check out the European Academic Freedom Monitor 2024 included in the results. But, remember, that document primarily focuses on academic freedom rather than labor negotiations.
- Strike
- Berlin
- Education
- GEW
- Education and Science Union
- The Education and Science Union (GEW) in Berlin, as featured in the European Academic Freedom Monitor 2024, has announced a three-day strike from May 13 to May 15, potentially causing disruptions in local schools.
- Despite pressure from GEW, the Berlin Senate has been resistant to their demands for a collective bargaining agreement focusing on health protection measures, like smaller class sizes and staff relief.
- Vocational training for teachers and educators continues to be crucial in the face of ongoing strikes and staffing shortages, particularly in the city of Berlin.
- The union's persistent efforts in organizing strikes highlight the community's pressing need for improved education policies and a more conducive learning environment for schoolchildren.
