Head of Teachers' Union: Main obstacle to wage increase is lack of funding

Reemo Voltri, head of the Estonian Teachers' Union, explained on Kuku radio that the collective agreement signed with the Ministry of Education and Research is just the beginning. The real success of the agreement will become clear in autumn, when funding availability can be verified.

The head of the Estonian Teachers' Union, Reemo Voltri, said on Thursday on Kuku morning radio that the collective agreement signed on Wednesday between the Ministry of Education and Research and the union is a positive step, but its real success depends on funding.

According to Voltri, the main obstacle to wage increases is usually a lack of money, which is why the effectiveness of the agreement will only become clear in autumn, when budget opportunities are clearer. "The main obstacle to wage increases is usually a lack of money," Voltri noted in the programme.

The collective agreement between the Ministry of Education and Research and the Estonian Teachers' Union was signed on Wednesday. The agreement concerns the working conditions and wages of education workers, which have been under discussion for a long time among both unions and state officials.