I am living in Greece and I am assuring you that exactly the same happens in here, too! (that's also one of the main reasons of debt we have, but that's another subject). I didn't know, though that that problem exists in your country too in such degree. The article represents 100% the situation in Greece and I assume in other countries, thought with different money amounts.
For example, a new-teacher (in his/her first year) in public school gets about 1100 euros (that's about $ 1400 or $ 16800 / year) while a senior one can reach $ 2600 /month around $ 32000 / year. That's pretty good money for Greece.
For comparison I shall say that the average wage is $ 14000/year. Well, there may not be such a big difference in the wages than your country but public workers get much more benefits, most of them described in the article (health coverage, 1 month vacation, 25 hours work / week, etc.)
Also, the same is true for the strikes. The ones, you may have heard from TV are being made by public workers and their union. Even after the 15% deduct on their wages that the IMF ordered they still are happy with their salary.
To conclude I quoting a teacher that once sad "even if they (IMF) deduct our wage to $600 per month we will be happy with our job", because of the tenure they enjoy.