19 November 2008

A one-day national strike by Dutch secondary school teachers is going ahead after unions and employers failed to reach a new pay and conditions agreement.

Unions are demanding a reduction in teachers' workloads and improved conditions for ancillary workers. Talks on a new agreement have been going on for two years. Despite a draft accord being agreed in September, the employers now think the package will prove too expensive.

The unions hope at least 25 percent of teachers will heed Wednesday's national strike call and say hundreds of schools will be forced to close. Thousands of teachers are expected to attend a rally in Utrecht at midday. Up to now, the secondary school teachers have limited themselves to local industrial action.

[Radio Netherlands / Expatica]