France: Government move to improve primary teachers conditions | WPN World People News

EI national affiliates UNSA Education (National Union of Independent Trade Unions-Education) and SNUipp-FSU (Single National Union of Primary, Middle and Secondary School Teachers) have reacted to French Education Minister Vincent Peillon’s memorandum of agreement containing category-specific measures for primary education personnel.

This memorandum of agreement should establish a negotiated allocation of the category-specific measures already budgeted in 2013 to the tune of €62 billion. Each year’s budget includes posts and salary increases for €90 million. One portion of these increases is automatic,the other to be determined.

The four-page memorandum sets out the Minister’s agenda and asks for the unions’ support, stating that “the measures will be adopted in April-May”, before engaging in discussions on the profession in September.

The paper sets three priority categories: the lowest-paid staff in national education, primary school teachers, and school health services.

Since 1999, secondary school teachers have received a €900 annual pupil-monitoring and guidance allowance. The Minister has repeatedly given his public backing for this to be extended to primary school teachers. The memorandum officially enshrines “the creation of an allowance for primary school teachers in acknowledgement of the pupil-monitoring and guidance duties they perform”.

If the unions sign this memorandum, a first payment could be made in December and another in spring 2014.

UNSA Education: Moving in the right direction

UNSA Education General Secretary Lawrence Escure has welcomed the solid, positive prospects finally opening up.

He stressed that “UNSA Education’s two priorities feature high in this document: the improvements for low-ranked staff and, more broadly, all low-paid personnel, are fair and correct, and what we wanted. We were also claiming that measures to bring equity into teaching: introducing an allowance for primary teachers, increased access to senior posts foreducation personnel and principal vocational counsellors, and improving conditions for contract staff are moves in that direction.”

The memorandum leaves some matters hanging, but it does give clear recognition to the commitment of education professionals, commented Escure.

UNSA Education will sign the memorandum of agreement and work with its member unions to get the measures implemented. “So we will keep pushing our agenda for this new stage in the social dialogue to become meaningful in real terms for education personnel,” said Escure.

SNUipp-FSU: Will negotiate on teachers’ status

The SNUipp has taken note of the Minister’s proposal to finally open discussions on the need to upgrade primary teachers’ status. SNUipp FSU General Secretary Sebastian Sihr welcomed the introduction of an allowance for certain activities in setting up projects and teachers meeting pupils and their families outside working hours.

But the memorandum is also about improving career development and bringing it into line with secondary school teachers, emphasised Sihr.

“We see ourselves reflected in the proposals put on the table which were wanted and needed. The question we have is: Are we meant to sign up to it before negotiating on it?”

SNUipp has a remit to negotiate with the Minister and will be at the table, he went on.

“Our representative capacity gives us the right to be at the table,” said Sihr. “We will try to push the advances as far as possible to meet primary teachers’ expectations.”

EI: Social Dialogue vital to improve teachers’ status and education quality

EI welcomes the French Government’s stated commitment to negotiate with the unions and upgrade the teaching profession. “Good working conditions and decent pay for teachers are a big part of providing quality education for all,” said EI General Secretary Fred van Leeuwen.

Source: Education International