European Trade Union Committee for Education

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On Saturday 29 June, the Teachers' Union of Hungary (PSZ) and its National Youth Section (NÖKS) organised a flashmob protest in front of the Interior Ministry in Budapest. The action aimed to draw attention to the continued neglect of education support personnel and to demand fair and guaranteed improvements in their pay and working conditions. 

Participants stood in symbolic silence, held banners, and delivered more than 20,000 signatures gathered from across the country in support of improved conditions for education support staff—who, unlike teachers, did not receive a salary increase at the beginning of 2024 or in the planned 2025 adjustment. 

In a video interview recorded during the protest, PSZ Vice President Tünde Tóth explained the background to the action. A newly established committee within the union, representing education support personnel, had launched a grassroots signature campaign to raise awareness among colleagues, parents, and the wider public. “Many parents had no idea that school staff are earning little more than the minimum wage,” she said. “Through real conversations, they helped expose an issue that’s too often invisible.”  

The flashmob was the culmination of this effort, with union representatives formally delivering the signatures and a legislative proposal to the Ministry of Interior, calling for concrete action. “I’m really proud of our colleagues who travelled long distances to be here,” said Tóth. “This is only the beginning.”  

The organizing efforts and protest of PSZ and its members were even more impressive because of the anti-union stance and policies of the government over the last years. Many critical teachers have been fired over this period. PSZ remains steadfast in its commitment to fight for education personnel despite these difficult illiberal circumstances. The PSZ-campaing is also a very good case study of successful grassroots organising, a crucial strategy to build member-led union power. 

The protest echoes the key demands of ETUCE’s “Make teaching attractive” campaign, reminding policymakers that quality education relies on fair treatment and investment in all school staff—not just teachers. PSZ has confirmed that more actions will follow.