(June 2, 2009) Thirteen thousand teachers from all over Chile gathered in downtown Santiago on Tuesday to protest against an overdue pay bonus that dates from 2007. Teachers nationwide have been on strike for 16 days as of Tuesday. Nationwide, over a million schoolchildren in the public education system have been left without classes.
The marchers demanded payment of the Additional Special Subsidy (SAE) pay bonus which is overdue since 2007. The government owes an average of US$2,000 to every public school teacher in the country.
Teachers arrived in over a hundred buses from every region of Chile. The protesters marched from Plaza Italia, Esatción Central and Ahumada St. to culminate in a mass rally in Forestal Park at midday.
National Teachers’ Union President Jaime Gajardo addressed the crowd outside the Fine Arts Museum in the park, demanding that the government intervenes to resolve the problem. The Central Workers Union (CUT) President was also there to give his support, asking for the resignation of Education Minister Mónica Jiménez.
“We are demanding that they pay us what we’re due,” said Julia Cancino, 53, a teacher with 31 years’ experience. “It affects our profession; it’s not just.”
The Education Ministry (MINEDUC) has met with the Teachers’ Assocation three times in a bid to end the strike, offering payment of the bonus in installments – the last of which would be in January 2010. The Association has repeatedly refused the government’s offers, demanding for 500,000 Chilean pesos (US$890) immediately, followed by another 500,000 pesos in October.
Jiménez announced the transfer of 13 billion Chilean pesos on Monday to the 219 municipalities for the payment of the bonus, which would leave the negotiation of the bonus to each municipality.
Leaders from the Teachers’ Association are expected to deliver a letter to presidential palace La Moneda on Wednesday listing their demands.
The strike only affects teachers in public schools, although some private school teachers joined the strike on Tuesday in solidarity with their colleagues.
