Danish government stops Danish teachers lockout

Danish government intervenes to end Danish teachers lockout

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) -- The Danish government has proposed emergency legislation aiming to put an end to a lockout of some 52,000 teachers that has shut schools throughout the country for the past four weeks.

Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt says she expects that 875,000 students will return to classes on Monday if the law is passed over the weekend.

The prime minister said Thursday that a majority of lawmakers are ready to back the proposal. It requires teachers to teach more hours per week and phases out the right to work less after turning 60, but earmarks 300 million kroner ($5.2 million) for salary increases.

Municipalities imposed a lockout on April 2 after teachers rejected a deal on working hours. There have been no talks between the two sides, forcing the government to intervene.