Stockholm’s schools sound the alarm. Again. This time, we in Sweden’s Teachers Stockholm have also sounded the alarm about other things than the lack of money. An attempt to explain the market school was posted on the Instagram account “sthlmsskolorlarmar”. How are the independent schools overcompensated, why is the principle of publicity a problem and how does the right of free establishment work? Snark, maybe some feel. What is the union doing, shouldn’t you fix a higher salary for us instead?
Yes, but we also have to play a little school. The school system in Sweden is bleeding money in the wrong direction. It would be a malpractice to just scream for increased funding and not try to fundamentally change the system. According to the report “A more equal school – reduced school segregation and improved resource allocation” (SOU 2020:28), independent schools in Sweden are overcompensated by SEK 5 billion. Per year.
Sweden’s Teachers demanded SEK 4 billion for the school in the spring amendment budget (and received SEK 500 million), which means that the politicians prioritize the independent school owners’ waffle cottages over our work environment. To say “change, do right” to the politicians would be an understatement.
It was powerful
We know that many are disappointed with the new agreement, and so are we. But what we in Sveriges Lärare Stockholm got to experience during the contract movement was powerful. Many wanted to be conflict agents, lists of private e-mail addresses and phone numbers were fixed and we organized an advanced conflict organization that would make a professional genealogist jealous. We were ready.
Strike for the sake of striking? No, we are not defiant teenagers. But continuing in the same rut with local dialogues as the main weapon slows us down as a trade union. This is precisely why people join the union, so that we can be strong together and that we as a collective can get better conditions. Not because the workplace representatives at the schools themselves should oppose principals with “balanced budget” tattooed on their foreheads.
SKR bears the greatest responsibility for our work situation. It is their efficiency requirements that make us go on our knees and from our knees we cannot reach the students’ desks. As the united, strong union that we have now become (would become?), we must have the mandate to call it quits.
Will not stop alarming
Sweden’s Lärare Stockholm says stop in several ways. We organized a demonstration last year which generated an additional budget of SEK 102 million. We followed up with a political debate in the autumn and another demonstration when the budget was to be adopted in November.
The Instagram account “sthlmsskolorlarmar” showed incident reports about threats and violence during February to highlight the consequences of the cuts, and now this year’s cutbacks at the schools are presented. We have been sounding the alarm for over a year and will not stop. But it cannot only be up to the local associations to drive public opinion. At the same time, we support Eva’s rehab process, dispute about prevented protective stops and ensure that Mat’s schedule provides a sustainable work environment.
High expectations
We have high expectations for the new association and its communicators. So have our members. Sweden’s Teacher’s famous hand should not be tied in the pocket, it should be in the air. HÖK25 is waiting around the corner. It’s time to deliver!
See you on Saturday 4 May in Stockholm and in several other cities.
Hanna Garberg, chief protection officer, Sweden’s Lärare Stockholm
Linn Santesson, chief protection officer, Sweden’s Lärare Stockholm
Sanna Olsson, chief protection officer, Sweden’s Lärare Stockholm
- This is a debate article. It is the writers who stand for the opinions expressed in the text, not We Teachers.
READ MORE:
The teachers in a big campaign against the market school: “System error”
30 reports on the violence against the teachers: “Shocked”
Here the teachers are protesting against the “death of the Swedish school”
The teachers’ alarm: This is how we are affected by the cuts
Elin’s anger started the teachers’ demonstration
After the teachers’ protest: The municipality cancels savings requirements
