Public school representatives Wednesday at noon rejected an agreement drafted last night by union leaders and government officials to end the nationwide teachers’ strike that started May 5.
For more than two hours educators and union leaders discussed their doubts and concerns regarding the document devised following an 11-hour meeting that ended past 1 a.m. Wednesday.
Teachers expressed their distrust of the payment procedure proposed to correct problems with backlog payments.
Educators demanded the government resolve all pending wage issues within the next 48 hours and also asked that the administration promise no reprisals against those who participated in the strike, among other concerns.
Education Ministry officials asked educators to commit to rescheduling missed lessons without affecting the current school schedule or student vacation periods.
Earlier in the day, Education Minister Sonia Marta Mora expressed hope that the strike could end this afternoon and students would return to school Thursday.
Ana Doris González, president of the High School Teachers Association, said most union leaders share educators skepticism over the government’s proposals. She said they will require the Education Ministry to set a deadline to receive all back payments.
Unions leaders will meet again Thursday to outline upcoming measures for the strike, which is now in its fourth week.
