Before the start of strike the union held a press conference.

The speakers accused the regime of seeking to control the thoughts of the pupils with "state-compiled history textbooks", sow the seeds of discord among the teaching staff by introducing the system of paying salaries according to piece rate and block the right education through the suppression of the union.

A press release was read out.

In the press release they declared they would get the above-said salary system abolished and acquire the basic right to labor through a united action.

At the end of the conference they kicked off the strike.