Teachers end strike, only to begin anew Sunday if demands unmet

AMMAN — Teachers on Thursday decided to end their nationwide strike in compliance with a court verdict ordering its suspension, but said they would start another open-ended work stoppage on Sunday should the government refuse to meet their demands.  

The Jordan Teachers Association (JTA) announced on Thursday the withdrawal of the decision it made on September 7 under which the full strike was launched, in obedience to the Supreme Administrative Court's verdict that ordered an "immediate" suspension of the strike.

The Administrative Court issued a ruling on Sunday, ordering an "immediate" suspension of teachers' nationwide strike, which began on September 8 following a lawsuit filed by parents. But the JTA insisted that the strike is legal and that the Administrative Court's ruling is not abiding, as it can be challenged.
However, the Supreme Administrative Court ruled on Wednesday that contesting the verdict does not require stopping its implementation unless the court orders otherwise.

The JTA announced on Thursday the withdrawal of the legal challenge it logged against both courts’ verdicts on the strike. 

Meanwhile, JTA Spokesperson Nouriddin Nadim said that the strike will be suspended until Saturday night, and to be resumed on Sunday if the government responds negatively to their “irreversible” demands of an apology and recognition of a 50-per cent pay raise.

“The government has until Saturday night to show positive steps towards meeting our demands or we will start a new strike on Sunday,” Nadim told The Jordan Times.

The JTA has requested an apology from the government for the way it handled the sit-in they staged in Amman on September 5, during which the syndicate claimed its members were subject to violations.

“The ball is now in the government’s court,” Nadim said.