Academic staff union declares warning strike in support of higher wages

The Academic Staff Union has called a nationwide one-hour warning strike in support of higher wages for academics. The hour-long strike has been scheduled for Tuesday October 17, however, academics from the Faculty of Arts at Palacký University in Olomouc and some faculties of Charles University are planning to strike all day. Academics have been protesting against low salaries and inadequate funding for higher education since the spring. Unions are demanding a 15% increase in salaries to bring them in line with other public sector employees. They argue that low salaries and lack of funding are driving talented academics out of the country and discouraging young people from pursuing careers in the field.