Unions insist on pay rise demands for this year

Trade unions are sticking to their demands from last year for higher public-sector wages in 2026. They want a nine percent rise in pay tariffs for lower-paid professions and the civil service, and a six percent increase for doctors, nurses and social service workers, effective from January. Josef Středula, head of the Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions, told Czech Press Agency (ČTK) ahead of Monday’s talks with the government. The previous cabinet approved January pay rises for teachers, teaching assistants and security forces, but left other professions unresolved. The new coalition government of ANO, the Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) party and the Motorists' party is expected to discuss its draft budget later this month, with union talks continuing after Monday’s tripartite meeting.