School workers’ unions have announced a new battle for sustenance. Meal vouchers Also for Teachers and ATA staff. In fact, Italian law provides that all employed workers have the right to access this type of corporate welfare, but with some exceptions.
Those who are not entitled to meal vouchers are so-called single-shift workers, whose working hours cover only part of a traditional work day. Circumstances including i. School staffEven if, according to the unions, the situation of the teachers and ATA staff will differ from the situation defined in their contracts.
Because ATA staff and teachers do not receive meal vouchers.
School unions are back to demanding food vouchers for education workers. i Public administration In fact, ATA staff and teachers are the only employees who do not receive this type of company welfare. This is despite the fact that Italian law provides the right to receive meal vouchers for any subordinate employee, even part-time. Be or full time.
Agreement on National Public Administrationwhich was last renewed in 2022 and which the school staff contract also refers to, differs slightly from national legislation. In fact, it provides that anyone who works for the state for more than 6 hours a day is entitled to a 30-minute meal break. If the establishment for which he works does not provide canteen service, the employee is entitled to meal vouchers.
School lessons, which cover the official working hours of teachers and ATA staff, rarely last more than 6 hours. Therefore, under Italian law, school staff are not entitled to meal vouchers.
Criticism from unions
However, unions criticize this interpretation. For example, workers’ representatives report that teachers often have to stop by the school after class to talk to parents. Class Councils and Meetings. As a result, their working hours often exceed 6 hours. Hence the request to get food vouchers like other public administration employees.
Marcelo Pacifico, president of ENIF (National Association of Teachers and Trainers), also points out: “The union believes very much in this fight and in our opinion the introduction of food vouchers will be important. Equivalent to around 12-13 Euros per day” Pacifico said.
“Salaries for school workers are definitely low. Of course, since Anief got representation, things have improved a bit: for example, we allocated more resources to teaching and research staff. A new contract has been closed after leaving.” The President of Anief added.
Pacifico also returned to another topic that affects teachers closely: Contract holiday allowance. This is an additional salary that many employees receive when their national contract expires and is not renewed. In the past, teachers have received much less pay than their peers, and unions are trying to pressure them to gain parity.
