Barcelona's schools and institutes experienced empty classrooms on Monday as teachers continued their strike action. This marked the second day of industrial action, following widespread protests across Catalonia last week and a major mobilisation in the city last Tuesday.
Teachers are stopping work to demand improved labour conditions. A 'yellow tide' demonstration, referring to the colour associated with the protests, was scheduled to start at 12pm at Jardinets de Gràcia and end at the Department of Education.
The ongoing strikes and mobilisations in schools and institutes are a direct result of a lack of agreement between the Department of Education and several unions, including USTEC-STEs, Professors de Secundària (ASPEPC-SPS), CGT, and Intersindical. Teachers are rejecting the government's pact with CCOO and UGT, pushing for better working conditions, reduced student-teacher ratios, and increased investment to support diversity in classrooms.
Union Spokesperson Clarifies Demands
Iolanda Segura, spokesperson for USTEC, denied recent reports that she had proposed a salary increase of between €400 and €500 to call off the protests. Segura criticised CCOO and UGT for signing an agreement without consulting other unions involved in the dispute.
During these protest days, the Department of Labour has set minimum service requirements. These include one teacher for every three classrooms in nurseries, primary, and secondary schools. Additionally, 50% of staff must be present in school canteens. These minimum services aim to ensure families with children who have no alternative care can still send their children to school, and to guarantee the safety of children attending the centres.
Looking ahead, the unions and the Department of Education will need to find common ground to resolve the dispute. Further negotiations are expected as teachers continue to press their demands for significant changes to their working environment and educational resources.
