Brussels, 26 April 2022 (MIA) – The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) has expressed support for the teachers in North Macedonia striking for better working conditions, MIA reports from Brussels. Supporting the teachers’ strike since it started on April 11, the ETUC’s Susan Flocken has stated that strike is the last resort when negotiations fail. On Tuesday, Julian Scola, ETUC Head of Press and Communications in a statement to MIA said the organization supports the position of the Autonomous Trade Union for Education, Science and Culture (SONK) and expresses “concern about the ongoing negotiations between the government and SONK on raising of teachers’ salaries, currently below the national average wage.” Asked whether the government proposal on 12-percent salary raise is satisfactory, the ETUC says it up to SONK to decide whether to accept it or not. ETUC Secretary General  Bernadette Ségol next week will address a congress of the Confederation of Free Trade Unions (KSS) via video, it has been announced. Ségol is expected at the congress to voice full support of the SONK’s request to negotiate with the government for higher salaries and better working conditions for North Macedonia’s teachers.