2023-12-11 13:58:00
At the Haute École Louvain en Hainaut (HELHa), several teachers are on strike today. The institution is undergoing complete transformation, a governance plan is underway. It will be put to a vote next week. Some teachers denounce a lack of information.
Fake coffin, black clothes and funeral music: on the Montignies-sur-Sambre site, the striking staff buried the dialogue. A symbolic scene. The fears are linked to a governance plan. In other words, a new model which reduces management positions on the Haute école site.
“We fear a loss of proximity with students. Certainly, we are not sure that the task for the management will be lightened depending on the restructuring, which does not say its name, but which is undoubtedly one of them.” explains Nathalie Gérard, teacher at the establishment.
On fifteen sites, the Haute école trains future engineers, physiotherapists or social workers. There are nineteen directors, but with the plan there will be only sixteen. A plan was put to the vote on December 19. What are the staff complaining about? Lack of consultation.
For Yvan Scoys, the union representative of the Haute École, this plan is like “ask to buy a cat in a bag“. According to him, management asks them “to say yes to this vote, and then to just negotiate the application of this vote. We are asking for at least a postponement of the vote and first a negotiation to see where we are going.”.
Fewer directors, but they will be assisted. The management of the Haute école defends the plan and ensures that it has consulted staff and students for several months. “Dialogue was one of the key words of this process. There were extensive information sessions and listening collections, which meant that the proposal evolved significantly in three and a half months.” retorts Philippe Declercq, director-president of the school.
“We have been very clear and very transparent regarding the concerns expressed, particularly relating to job losses. There will be no loss of employment linked to this development, no forced mobility on the part of members of staff” he adds.
The actions continue this Monday afternoon in Mons, then on December 19, the day of the vote.
Hainaut HELHa school teacher strike
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