Serbian Teachers Return to Schools as Strike Ends

The Serbian Education Union Committee on Tuesday accepted a protocol signed with the Serbian government on the increase in education workers' salaries.

Schools which are members of that union will go back to normal working hours as of Wednesday, after striking for more than a week.

Serbian Education Union President Branislav Pavlovic signed the Protocol on Friday, but in order to come into effect, it needed to be approved by the Union's republic committee, which was done on Tuesday.

At a news conference, Pavlovic said that the total annual increase in salaries will be from 13.62 to 14.6 percent, including a two-percent raise in January.

"We ask that Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic and authorised ministers continue the talks on the possibility of raises in accordance with budget revenues," Pavlovic stressed.

The strike will continue by those teachers affiliated with the Nezavisnost education branch trade union, and the Alliance of Unions of Education Workers of Serbia.

The Union of Education Workers also joined the two remaining unions, after withdrawing their signature from the agreement reached with the government.

This has caused some in that union to voice their dissent, claiming that they accept the protocol and wish to end the strike.