– We now receive many similarly sounding dispensation applications of a very general nature. They are not about individual situations or individual students, but include all students and contact teachers at all levels, says Handal to news. Many of the applications are rejected precisely because they are so general. Now Handal is worried. – If the system is used to push for a forced wage board, then it is very serious, says Steffen Handal in the Education Association. Photo: Tore Skaar / Uddanningsforbundet – We have reason to fear that these are not dispensation applications that come from the “floor” of the individual school, but from a level or two up in the system. I fear that it is mayors, county mayors and youth development managers who take the initiative for these applications. – Do you think it is moving towards a compulsory wage board now? – There is no reason to call off the strike with a forced wage board now, says Handal. – What is the purpose of submitting all these applications then? – I don’t like to speculate on that. If the system is used to push forward a forced wage board, then it is very, very serious. Then you push the students in front of you in a political game, continues the Education Association’s leader. Rejects applications It is the Education Association and the two other striking teachers’ organizations that, in line with the rules of the game in working life, decide on applications for dispensation from the strike. Such applications for exemption from the strike come from businesses that are affected by it. The main rule is that it must state life and health or other vital considerations, such as in this case individual students with special needs. During the weekend, 843 applications were received for exemption for Monday 26 September. Of these, 254 came from Bergen and Vestland County Municipality. – We are seeing a change in the way municipalities and county councils now apply. The applications are very general, maintain Handal and the Danish Education Association. When asked how he justifies the accusations made against mayors, county mayors and youth leaders, Handal replies as follows: – The basis is the contact and feedback with our shop stewards and strike leaders. We do not grant dispensation applications that are of a completely general nature. These are rules of the game that the parties in working life agree on. Doubling Last week, the Education Association received 1,866 applications for dispensation from the strike, of which 1,775 were granted. This is almost a doubling from the week before, when the number was 1,043. Of these, 940 were granted, writes Aftenposten. – The municipalities and county councils themselves have a responsibility for the health side by looking after pupils who need special follow-up, says Handal. – But surely the strike has consequences for all students affected, not least at schools that have been on strike for several weeks? – The strike has consequences for all students who are affected. But the system of exemptions is intended to take care of individual pupils with special needs. We grant such applications. Teachers’ right to strike cannot be limited by general concerns about pupils’ mental health. – Now that’s enough Striking teachers in Porsgrunn municipality are among those who have received dispensation applications for processing, also applications which the Education Association believes are far too general in form to grant. The municipality is governed by mayor Robin Kåss from the Labor Party, who earlier today issued a demand for a compulsory wage board. – Now that’s enough, a strike is a democratic right, but it’s also a human right to go to school, says Robin Kåss (Ap). He says the municipality receives several ominous messages from parents, child protection, psychologists and the municipal administration. – The government has a duty to protect life, health and important social functions. In my opinion, they should not wait any longer to intervene, says the mayor. Steffen Handal does not like the message from the Porsgrunn mayor: – As mayor, Robin Kåss is a party to the case. He is one of those who have given KS a mandate in the salary settlement. He should use his influence in the KS system rather than calling for a forced wage board, he says. Believe in the end of the strike Kristine Nergaard from the research foundation Fafo does not think the teachers’ strike will last much longer. If the parties do not agree, the government will intervene with a compulsory wage board, the labor researcher believes. – Whether we are talking this week or next week is a bit difficult to say. There are so many who are affected, she says. Nergaard explains that concerns have gradually come from several quarters. In addition to local reactions in several places, the Children’s Ombudsman has also expressed concern. The researcher says the forced wage board is one of three possible ways out of the strike. – Either they can make another attempt at the Ombudsman. They can also entrust the settlement to a voluntary panel so that someone else can decide. The forced wage board is the rice behind the mirror, she says.
ttn-69
Handal restless – rejects applications for strike exemption – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
