Teachers’ Pay for May 17th Train: NRK Report

They both work as teachers in Bodø municipality, and line up on National Day to follow the students on the May 17 train.

But the payment they receive is completely different.

– We get NOK 1300, says Erik Baalmann at Kløpsmarka school in Bodø.

– We get two hours of relaxation, says Irene Torbergsen at Mørkvedmarka school – also the one in Bodø.

The difference is because the teachers’ payment on National Day is agreed at each school or with the municipality.

Nevertheless, the inequalities create reactions in the teachers.

– People think it’s a little badly paid. Many sacrifice something to go by train, says Torbergsen.

– The rest of the family has to adjust, I have grandchildren at another school that I want to join. The compensation should be proportionate, she continues.

It is voluntary for both teachers and students to participate in the May 17 celebration.

– We must not, but I think there is some expectation of it. We are used to keeping track of the kids – and that’s probably what the parents want to let go, says Baalmann.

Mayor of Bodø Municipality, Odd Emil Ingebrigtsen (H), says he is in favor of each school finding “own ways” when it comes to paying the teachers.

– I am basically a supporter of equal pay for equal work. If there is a desire to have equal treatment in the municipality, there is no big problem I think.

Elsewhere, you get neither paid nor offset – with the consequences it entails.

Don’t get paid – more drops the children’s train

In Grimstad, several teachers are dropping the children’s train since the municipality will not pay them, as Grimstad Adressetidende has mentioned.

Here, the municipality has cut overtime pay to the teachers on May 17.

Therefore, the parents must now take over the responsibility.

– I like to pose as a mother, but I think it’s sad that the teachers can’t join, says two -child mother Linn Therese Bjugan.

Mayor Beate Skretting tells NRK today that teachers in the train are not required by law – and that they must save money.

– We prioritize spending teacher lessons in teaching – and not on May 17 for that reason, says Skretting.

This does not buy the toddler mother

– It’s 300,000 kroner. We spend money on many other things, so I’m stupid, says Bjugan.

Satisfied in the Oslo School

In Oslo, however, the teachers are satisfied with the payment on National Day.

– Yes, we are happy. This does not tend to be a topic of contention with us, says Anders Jørgensen, chief union representative in the Education Association in Oslo.

Here, teachers get 233 per cent of the hourly wage.

Some also want the lessons in offsetting.

If a teacher works four hours on May 17, this will be resolved as 133 percent in hourly wages and four hours of relaxation.

Jørgensen thinks it is a pity that there is so much variation in how teachers are paid for the job they do in connection with National Day.

– It is quite obvious that you should get paid to work a holiday. It is very sinful that there are such big differences, he says, adding:

– It is a pity that you should have free work on such a day.

Also in Bergen, teachers receive wages in accordance with the provisions of the Main Tariff Agreement.

– We have no expectations in this city that teachers will contribute on May 17, but some schools allow teachers in first or second class to go with the students, says Bente Ingeborg Myrtveit, head of the Education Association in Bergen.

In Trondheim there are small variations from school to school. The leader of the Education Association in Trondheim, Gry Camilla Tingstad, says that it seems that teachers are largely satisfied with the schemes.

– It must be a matter of course that overtime payment is paid in accordance with the collective bargaining agreements in cases where teachers are required or expected to participate, Tingstad told NRK.

Education Association: The time for the day is over

– I don’t think anything about it. The time when teachers contribute May 17 as a dawn is definitely over.

This is stated by the leader of the Geir Røssvoll Education Association.

– We have clear expectations for the municipalities that you have good agreements. We have a contract work that is clear and clear. Following this is no problem.

He says the opportunity to enter into local agreements makes it different practices from municipality to municipality, and between the schools.

– The main rule is that you should have paid, because it is working time.

He emphasizes that it is voluntary for teachers to work on National Day, which has been a tradition for many years.

– But it must happen on the condition that you get good conditions.

However, he is of the opinion that the vast majority of teachers have good agreements for their contributions on May 17.

– If the teachers want to go with their class I think is fine, because it is a tradition that has been for many years.