Tens of thousands of education workers protested in Barcelona on Friday, 5 June, after rejecting a pre-agreement with the Generalitat government. The march marked the first strike day since the deal was turned down, and it caused disruption across the city from early morning.
Teachers, educational support staff, monitors, subsidised school workers and nursery educators joined the action. Demonstrators gathered at Arc de Triomf from noon before marching to Parc de la Ciutadella and the gates of the Catalan Parliament. The protest came after more than 39,500 workers rejected the pre-agreement last Thursday.
Unions said attendance reached about 90,000 people, with 80% participation in the strike. The Guardia Urbana gave a lower figure of 15,200 participants. Friday's protest was organised by USTEC, CGT, La Intersindical, CNT and COS. ASPEPC-SPS had accepted the Generalitat's proposed agreement, which included monthly salary increases of €400 over four years.
Laura Gené, general secretary of CGT de Catalunya, called for Education Minister Esther Niubó to be dismissed. She said the agreement was not enough and argued that the dispute reflects an educational emergency, not only a pay issue. Gené also called for the salary guarantee clause to be honoured, class sizes to be cut, support staff to be internalised, and more democracy in schools.
Unions say their main demand is more resources for public education, including smaller classes and an inclusive Catalan school system. Iolanda Segura, spokesperson for USTEC, said the split among unions makes talks more difficult, but added that the conflict is not resolved. She also said the government was unlikely to make urgent moves before next week's strike.
Further action is planned for 9 June, with unions already calling another strike day. The sector has been mobilised since March, and Friday's protest was one of several demonstrations in Barcelona. On Friday morning, Niubó met the three unions that accepted the agreement, Professors de Secundària (ASPEPC-SPS), CCOO and UGT. More Catalonia news
