Barcelona was the focus on 14 June as thousands of teachers and families marched through the city to demand a public education agreement. The Guàrdia Urbana said 7,000 people took part, while unions put the figure at 25,000.
The protest was organised by USTEC, CGT, Intersindical CNT and COS, with support from aFFaC, the Federated Associations of Families of Students of Catalonia. Other groups joined too, including the Students' Union of the Catalan Countries, striking Barcelona library workers and Barcelona City Council staff.
The march began at 12pm in Jardinets de Gràcia and ended in Plaça de Catalunya shortly after 1pm. Families with children joined the demonstration, which mixed a festive mood with a clear message of protest. Chants heard along Passeig de Gràcia included, “Niubó, resign”, “We are the ones who say what is agreed”, and “Fighting is also educating”.
Unions said they want the mobilisation to act as a country-wide push for a major agreement on public education. Iolanda Segura, general secretary of USTEC, called for unity across the sector and said the current educational crisis shows the need for structural change. She also said the 2009 law has failed and should be reviewed.
Laura Gené, general secretary of Education for CGT, urged the government to stop what she called an educational emergency and to negotiate with the strike committee. Jordi de Carreras, president of aFFaC, said families want clear objectives, a timetable and enough resources, and want to be part of talks with the government.
The dispute remains unresolved after a school year marked by strikes and protests across Catalonia. Unions say there have been 25 strike days in total, 11 of them in Barcelona, and they have already announced more action for September, including pressure tactics such as suspending school trips. A meeting of unions opposing the agreement with the Education department is set for 20 June to decide their next steps. More Catalonia news
