Teachers’ strike in SC completes six days amid impasse with the state government

Professionals have been out of action for about a week (Photo: Beto Lima, CBN Joinville)

The strike by state teachers completes six days this Monday (29) amid an impasse between the category and the government. This Sunday (28), governor Jorginho Mello (PL) used social networks (28) to position himself against the mobilizations, denying the possibility of unpacking the salary table (the category’s main demand) and announcing a discount for those who miss work. In response, the union alleged that the governor used “threatening tones” and “misinformation” in the video released by the state government.

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According to the Union of Education Workers in the State Public Education Network (Sinte-SC), 30% of educators are on strike. The governor says that the movement has “low adherence” and that around 90% of professionals remain in the classroom. Even so, Jorginho highlighted the hiring of temporary workers in order to replace the strikers.

Seven out of every 10 teachers in the state network in SC are temporary, study shows

Sinte calls for a new public competition in view of the situation in SC, where seven out of every 10 teachers in the state network are temporary, and calls for career enhancement. Without announcing a date, the governor says he will hold “the biggest contest in the history of Santa Catarina”. Regarding the demand to unpack the salary table, he said it was “absolutely unfeasible”, as it would cost R$4.6 billion and would violate the Fiscal Responsibility Law.

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“Tones of threat and disinformation”

Still on Sunday night, representatives from Sinte-SC published a video in response to the governor. For Evandro Accadrolli, coordinator of the union, the category was “surprised” by Jorginho’s position.

José Sérgio Cristóvam, who deals with legal matters in the category, reinforced that the arguments used are baseless and pointed out three justifications: that strike is a constitutional right guaranteed to all workers; that in all teaching strikes, historically, there was always replacement of the days on strike and there was never confirmation of the cuts in civil servants’ salaries; and, finally, it was illegal to replace the vacancies of professionals on strike.

Unionists also refute the governor’s argument that unpacking the sheet would cost R$4.6 billion to the public coffers. For them, the value is “overestimated” and they claim that there is a total of R$3.5 billion “to be applied to the Santa Catarina public service”. Furthermore, representatives of the category say that the governor “reheated” proposals from last year and that he spreads misinformation when he says that the State has the highest salary in the South region, since in Rio Grande do Sul and Paraná, professionals at the beginning of their careers earn more.

In view of the lack of agreement, the union remains on strike for an indefinite period and plans a demonstration on Tuesday (30) in Florianópolis.

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In an interview with Bom Dia Santa Catarina this Monday morning (29), Aristides Cimadon, Secretary of State Education, said that there have been conversations between the government and the union since Jorginho Mello took office and that the governor has responded “ almost all” claims.

The proposal that the secretary claims not to have fulfilled is simply to unpack the table because there is a need for “in-depth studies” to do so. Aristides mentioned that this is a subject that has been debated since 2018 and that Jorginho is “sensitive” to the topic, but that he also has “responsibility”.

— We are carrying out studies with the determination of Jorginho himself, who, without a doubt, delivers on what he promises — he points out.

The secretary also highlighted that the public competition notice, which promises to attract 10,000 professionals, is “completely ready” and that registration should open in June.

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