Teachers in Sant Cugat del Vallès participated in the first of three planned education strikes across Catalonia on Tuesday, demanding salary increases and reduced student-teacher ratios. The protests in Barcelona, which included both public and private school teachers, saw thousands gather to call for improved working conditions.
Unions such as USTEC, Professors de Secundària, CGT, and Intersindical are urging the Education Department to reopen negotiations. They seek a pay rise higher than the one agreed with CCOO and UGT, along with more resources for classrooms. USTEC estimates a necessary increase of €400 per month, stressing the immediate need for more sector funding. A meeting between unions and the government scheduled for Thursday has not eased the concerns of striking teachers from Sant Cugat.
Demands for Better Pay and Resources
Xavier Saladrigues, a teacher at Leonardo Institute, believes Tuesday's mobilisation will be key for the future of teachers and education in Catalonia. He stated, "This has no stopping point. It's not just about raising salaries; the burden of responsibility will remain the same. €400 only solves part of the problem." Andrea Ballesta, also a teacher at Leonardo, added, "We cannot live on the salary we have, and we need a raise." She also highlighted the need for more professionals, particularly guidance counsellors and support staff.
Teachers claim the Generalitat's proposal does not meet the sector's demands. Saladrigues noted, "They have frozen our purchasing power for 15 years; they are late, and I see the government has no intention of backing down. We will continue; it is social justice." Martina Solivelles described the daily challenges, saying, "Many times you leave work feeling like you haven't been able to attend to the children properly, and that causes anxiety, because we don't lack the desire, we lack resources."
Community Support and Internal Frictions
Regarding tensions with families due to strike-related disruptions, Saladrigues explained that teachers have engaged in extensive outreach, aware of the many strike days planned between May and June. He said, "Many AFAs (family associations) support us. There are inconveniences because it's a strike, but ultimately, it benefits their children." Solivelles agreed, stating, "We don't enjoy striking; it wears us out, but we need to be heard. We have been enduring these conditions for many years, and enough is enough."
However, Solivelles did point to frictions with some school managements, describing them as acting like "Interior Department branches." Teacher assemblies have reactivated in schools, which she called "an absolute revolution," expressing confidence that subsequent strike calls will be maintained. Sant Cugat teachers who participated in the strike gathered in Plaça Urquinaona in Barcelona, where two columns of demonstrators converged. Thousands of teachers, estimated at 26,000 by the Guàrdia Urbana and 80,000 by unions, assembled in Barcelona on Tuesday.
Looking ahead, the ongoing dialogue between unions and the government will determine the next steps for the education sector. Teachers remain firm in their demands, indicating further actions if their calls for improved salaries and resources are not met.
