Catalan Education Minister Esther Niubó has called the announcement of 17 days of strikes by teachers "a bit disproportionate" in Catalonia. She announced on Sunday that a sector-wide meeting would be held this Thursday with all representative unions to discuss the situation and find ways to reduce tension.
Niubó's comments, made during an interview with Rac1, come as critical unions had sought an earlier meeting with the department. Despite their preference for talks at the start of the week, discussions are now set for Thursday.
The Education Minister has maintained her stance on the agreement signed with CCOO and UGT, stating she is not prepared to reconsider it. "It is a very good agreement, which responds to the issues raised by the educational community," Niubó said. She also denied any knowledge of agents infiltrating a teachers' assembly.
Unions Demand More from Education Department
Iolanda Segura, spokesperson for the majority teachers' union, emphasised earlier this week that unions are "willing to reach an agreement that satisfies the needs and the different parties". However, she insisted that the terms set out in the pact with CCOO and UGT are insufficient. When asked if a formal agreement would halt the strikes, Segura stated that protests would only be called off if an agreement is reached that "resolves these needs or sets a starting point to resolve these needs and which the collective sees favourably".
Gerard Mira, writing for Nació Digital, noted that Catalan schools are facing a month of strikes, suggesting that "the academic year will not end normally".
Planned Strike Dates Across Catalonia
The announced strike schedule extends through May and into June, affecting various regions on different days:
May:
* Wednesday 6: Actions in schools.
* Thursday 7: Strike for 0-3 age group.
* Tuesday 12: Unified demonstration across Catalonia.
* Wednesday 13: Regional strike in Baix Llobregat and Penedès.
* Thursday 14: Regional strike in Girona and Central Catalonia.
* Friday 15: Regional strike in Lleida, Alt Pirineu, and Aran.
* Monday 18: Regional strike in Barcelona Consortium and Barcelonès.
* Tuesday 19: Regional strike in Maresme, Vallès Occidental, and Vallès Oriental.
* Wednesday 20: Strike for 0-3 age group.
* Thursday 21: Regional strike in Camp de Tarragona and Terres de l'Ebre.
* Wednesday 27: Strike across all Catalonia.
* Thursday 28: Regional strike in Maresme, Vallès Occidental, and Oriental.
* Friday 29: Regional strike in Baix Llobregat and Penedès.
June:
* Monday 1: Regional strike in Girona and Central Catalonia.
* Tuesday 2: Regional strike in Barcelona Consortium and Barcelonès.
* Wednesday 3: Regional strike in Camp de Tarragona and Terres de l'Ebre.
* Thursday 4: Regional strike in Lleida, Alt Pirineu, and Aran.
* Friday 5: Unified demonstration across all Catalonia.
The upcoming sector-wide meeting on Thursday will be critical in determining whether a resolution can be found to avert some or all of the planned industrial action, which is set to impact schools across Catalonia for weeks.
