Barcelona teachers' unions are set to stage their final strike of the 2025-2026 academic year on Tuesday, 9 June 2026. The protest, which unions have dubbed the “Pope's strike”, will coincide with the Pope's visit to the city, the parliamentary committee debate on the budget, and the start of university entrance exams.
The main education union, USTEC, had initially considered an indefinite strike if a pre-agreement with the Education Department was rejected. However, the strategy put forward by CGT won a recent union vote, according to L'Empordà, with the union arguing for strikes on days with the greatest impact.
This Tuesday's action is being treated as one of those key dates. With only two weeks left in the academic year, unions are aiming to put pressure on the government at a moment when several major events are taking place in Barcelona at once.
A further protest is planned for Sunday, with a demonstration called by unions and supported by families through aFFaC. The families' group is calling for an education pact that goes beyond union negotiations and sets out a broader agreement for the sector.
The shift from an indefinite strike to a single-day protest reflects a change in union tactics. CGT's approach is designed to focus attention on specific dates, while the combined mobilisation from teachers and families is intended to keep pressure on the government before the summer break. For more local coverage, see our news page.
