– Disappointed, angry, pissed off. There are many feelings about this, says Geir Erland, teacher at Landås primary school in Bergen.
He and other teachers came out worst when the figures for the salary development in 2022 were presented on Monday.
The teachers received a salary increase of 3.3 per cent from 2021 to 2022, while prices in society increased by 5.8 per cent.
The average annual salary for wage earners in general increased by 4.4 per cent, figures from the Technical Calculation Committee for Income Settlements (TBU) showed.
CONCERNED: Even after a long and extensive round of strikes, the politicians do not understand the seriousness, says primary school teacher Geir Lunde. Photo: Bjørnar Morønning / TV 2
– It is demotivating. Salary is not everything, but a big part of it. We feel we speak up time and time again, but are not heard, says Erland.
He shares his concern with many colleagues at his workplace and at other schools.
– When we are now low compared to many other municipal employees, we lose money and it is noticeable, he says.
Salary growth 2022 divided by occupational groups
Industrial workers: 3.5 percent
Industrial employees: 5.0 percent
Merchandise trade: 3.7 per cent
Financial services: 5.0 percent
Public administration: 4.0 per cent
Government employees: 4.4 per cent
Teaching staff: 3.3 per cent
Other municipal employees: 3.9 per cent
The health institutions: 4.5 per cent
Leader of the education association, Steffen Handal, shares the concern.
– We feared that what came, would come: It turns out that the teachers come out the worst. It is very serious both for recruiting and keeping teachers in the school, says Handal to TV 2.
The poor result for the teachers is due, among other things, to the fact that the teachers did not receive last year’s salary increase until after the end of the teachers’ strike in September. Instead of from May, as is usually done.
– Something can be explained by that, but it is actually the case that KS, which is our employer, has given teachers a lower priority both last year, but also in the previous five years, says Handal.
DOWN PRIORITIZED: The Education Association feels down-prioritised, once again. Photo: Marie Grensbråten Lorvik / TV 2
The figures from TBU set the standard for this year’s salary settlement. Handal can guarantee that the requirements for KS will be higher this year.
KS did not have the opportunity to comment on the criticism from Handal on Monday, but refers to one press release where chairman Gunn Marit Helgesen says that it is demanding for the municipalities to catch up with other sectors’ higher wage growth beyond the framework that is the basis of the national budget.
Kindergarten teacher Geir Erland is not afraid to take up the teachers’ fight again.
– We just have to repeat the message until those who decide choose to prioritize us. But there are many demotivated people, and it will be difficult for many to accept this.
