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. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Romanian Service, click here.
Teachers In Romania Strike For Better Pay, More Investment In Education
Romanian teachers chant anti-government slogans during a union protest in front of government headquarters in Bucharest on May 10.