The country’s two main teachers’ unions, the National Education Union (FNE) and FENPROF, are united in the stance, which would affect secondary school chemistry and geography exams, and primary Year Two maths and environment exams.
The unions want better career progression and pension conditions for their members.
The National Education Union (FNE) said the strike is “inevitable,” although in the same breath it said it could be avoidedwere the Education Ministry to “agree to certain commitments.”
In comments to Lusa News Agency, João Dias da Silva, secretary-general of the FNE, said “the strike is inevitable unless, however, there is, on the Ministry for Education’s behalf, a written commitment to clearly define, even for future negotiation, some decisions.”
Among the decisions sought by the unions, is the guarantee that career unfreezing will “clearly and effectively” cover all teachers by January 2018.
The FNE also wants the government to commit to negotiating a special retirement scheme for teachers with 36 years of service, without penalties.