All 13 union branches during a joint meeting on Tuesday expressed their support for the final agreement on the cost-of-living allowance (CoLA) signed last week.

“The permanent agreement establishes CoLA as an institution and creates the conditions for its continuation and expansion. However, the fight for the application of CoLA to all workers continues,” the unions said.

They stressed that despite the agreement, other demands in the context of wages, both in relation to the prominently discussed tax and pension reform, remained present.

“The struggle continues on the basis of utilising the European directive on wage adequacy and the expansion of collective agreements,” the unions said.

During the meeting, the proposed teacher evaluation system was discussed, resulting in those present backing the concerns voiced by teachers unions Oelmek, Poed and Oltek.

Oelmek last Thursday announced a four-hour strike over the new system for evaluating teachers and educational work as proposed by the government, set to take place from 7.30am to 11am on Wednesday, after which the House education committee will begin an article-by-article discussion of the education ministry’s draft regulations.