Teachers Call It Quits: August Protest Planned as Government and Unions Clash Over Pay

The Polish Teachers’ Union has announced a major protest in Warsaw for August 31, 2026, rejecting government budget proposals and demanding systemic wage increases tied to the national average.

Protest Announcement and Demands

The dispute between the government and the educational community is entering a new phase as the Polish Teachers’ Union (ZNP) initiates a protest action. The first stage will be a demonstration scheduled for August 31, 2026, in front of the Chancellery of the Prime Minister in Warsaw under the slogan “Politicians to the Blackboard! Fair Wages: Keep Your Word!”.

Unionists want to remind political parties forming the parliamentary majority of pre-election declarations concerning the systemic linking of teachers’ salaries to the average wage in the national economy. ZNP argues that one-off raises do not solve the problem because their amount remains dependent on current political decisions and state budget capabilities.

The further course of the protest depends on the government’s reaction. While ZNP has not announced a strike, it does not rule out escalating actions if talks fail to produce binding arrangements, meaning tension may persist after the school year begins.

Budget Increases and Union Demands

According to Dziennik Gazeta Prawny, the government plans a 3-percent wage increase in the state budgetary sphere for 2027, covering teachers, officials, and uniformed services. The Ministry of Finance originally proposed 2.5 percent, matching projected inflation.

This increase failed to satisfy the social side, with unionists demanding a 15-percent wage increase across the entire budgetary sector. They argue that 3 percent should be treated as indexation rather than a raise leading to a real increase in purchasing power.

The difference in financial terms is vast: a 3 percent raise costs about 7 billion PLN, a 5 percent increase costs 12 billion PLN, a 10 percent raise requires 24 billion PLN, and a 15 percent wage growth would cost roughly 36 billion PLN.

Ministry of Education’s Proposals and Skepticism

The Ministry of National Education (MEN) is working on a separate mechanism regarding teachers’ salaries that could bring up to an 11 percent wage increase. However, MEN has not presented a detailed project, leaving it unclear who would be covered or when new rules would take effect.

This lack of specifics causes skepticism among unionists. Sławomir Wittkowicz, chairman of the Free Trade Union “Forum-Oświata,” points to previous regulations that failed to cover all employees in similar situations, such as the jubilee award for 45 years of work.

Citizens’ Legislative Project and Starting Salaries

ZNP argues there is no need to build a new mechanism from scratch because a civic draft amendment to the Teachers’ Charter, marked as bill no. 28, is already in the Sejm. Supported by over 250,000 citizens, it links teachers’ salaries to the average national wage.

In 2026, the base salary of a starting teacher with a master’s degree and pedagogical preparation is 5,300 PLN gross, while an appointed teacher receives at least 5,469 PLN gross, and a certified teacher gets 6,397 PLN gross. With the minimum wage at 4,806 PLN gross, a starting teacher earns only 502 PLN gross more than the minimum wage.

Education Reform and Additional Working Pressures

The pay dispute coincides with organizational and programmatic changes in schools, including the implementation of the “Compass of Tomorrow” reform. Unionists argue that new duties must be paired with real pay increases and proper support to combat severe nationwide staff shortages.

Unions are also pushing for clear rules and remuneration for additional work during multi-day school trips, as well as distinct regulations for overtime hours and excess teaching hours.

High Stress Levels and Teacher Well-being

A study conducted between February and April 2026 by researchers from the University of Warsaw showed that half of surveyed teachers experienced high or very high levels of stress. Around 60 percent reported insomnia, chronic pain, or exhaustion, and only 28 percent were certain they would remain in the profession.

Protest – Q&A Summary

The government plans a 3-percent wage increase for budgetary workers in 2027, while unions demand a 15-percent increase costing roughly 36 billion PLN. MEN is reviewing a potential 11-percent increase mechanism without confirmed details.

The ZNP demonstration takes place on August 31, 2026, in Warsaw. No strike has been declared yet, and starting salaries remain close to the national minimum wage under a stalled civic project framework.