15,000 education workers join Estonia warning strike

About 15,000 education workers took part in a nationwide warning strike in Estonia on Tuesday, ERR reported, according to data received by the Estonian Education Employees Union. More than 400 educational institutions participated, although the final figure is still being compiled.

“Based on the information available, we can confidently say that today’s warning strike showed how many education workers are ready to act together to ensure that teachers’ pay finally reaches a competitive level,” union chairman Reemo Voltri said.

Voltri attributed the strong participation largely to growing dissatisfaction among teachers. He said heavy workloads and responsibilities were not in balance with teachers’ pay.

The union’s latest survey found that 69 percent of Estonian teachers had considered leaving the profession during the past year. The main factors were heavy workloads and low salaries, Voltri said.

The next round of negotiations on the minimum salary for teachers will take place at 3 p.m. on Wednesday at the Tallinn building of the Ministry of Education and Research.

The union is seeking an increase in the minimum teacher salary to 2,312 euros in 2027, matching the forecast average salary in Estonia. The current minimum is 1,970 euros.

“I am trying to remain optimistic, although in recent weeks we have seen the government gradually retreat from its promise to raise teachers’ pay to 120 percent of the national average salary,” Voltri said.

Tuesday’s warning strike lasted one hour. It took place from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. in early education institutions and from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. in general education and vocational education institutions.

The Estonian Education Employees Union is continuing to collect data on the actual number of participants from strike coordinators and will publish the final figure once the information has been compiled.