Solidarity leaders appeal to members not to join teachers' strike

Leaders of the Solidarity teachers' union appealed on Monday to its members not to join an indefinite strike proclaimed by the Polish Teachers' Union (ZNP) and the Trade Unions' Forum (FZZ). According to the ZNP, nearly 80 percent of all Polish schools and kindergartens declared that they will go on strike on Monday. The decision was announced after the government and union sides, except for Solidarity, failed to reach a deal during another round of talks at the 'Dialogue' Centre for Social Partnership in Warsaw on Sunday evening. Despite the fact that Solidarity had signed an agreement with the government on Sunday night, some of its members joined the strike started by two other teachers' unions. The ZNP and the FZZ started mass dispute procedures over wage-hike demands in January. In addition to a monthly pay rise of PLN 1,000 (EUR 232.5), unions also want more career openings for teachers and changes in performance assessment criteria.