Minister of Science and Education Blaženka Divjak stated on Wednesday to reporters that the negotiations on branch collective agreements (GKU) for primary and secondary education activities have not been interrupted but are at a standstill to clarify the situation regarding the representativeness of the unions.
The Independent Union of Employees in Secondary Schools of Croatia reported last week that the Government abruptly interrupted the negotiations with what they claim is a senseless and unfounded explanation, and announced possible strikes. The Union of Croatian Teachers also condemned the Government’s move, which unilaterally interrupted the negotiations through the media and announced the organization of industrial actions if they do not sit down at the table soon.
>>> Vrdoljak and Divjak presented an online platform for monitoring the educational reform process
However, the minister stated at a press conference where she presented an online platform for public and fully transparent monitoring of the educational reform process that the negotiations have not been interrupted, and the problem arose because the unions are disputing each other regarding the established representativeness.
“It is not about interrupting the negotiations on GKU but rather a pause to clarify the situation we have found ourselves in as a Ministry, considering that the issue of representativeness requires a clear interpretation of the law,” said Divjak.
