In Colombia, striking teachers are deciding whether or not to return to their classrooms after reaching a tentative agreement with the government earlier in the day. In the third week of a nationwide strike, hundreds of thousands from throughout the country joined in the action called “Occupy Bogata” this Wednesday. The government raised its wage increase offer from 10% to 12% with an eye to ending the strike, but the large majority of teachers feel that this is not nearly enough. Union negotiators have gradually lowered demands from a wage increase of 28% to 20% to 16% and have said they cannot accept less. An official decision has not yet been made. But the wage increase is only one of several demands. The teachers are also demanding better infrastructure, especially in rural areas, increased spending on education in general, and better working conditions. Natalia Margarita reports from Bogota for teleSUR.
