Barcelona was the focus on 14 June as teachers and families marched through the city centre to press for a broad agreement on public education. The protest, the last of the current school year, began at 12pm in Jardinets de Gràcia and ended at Plaça de Catalunya.
The demonstration was called by the unions USTEC, CGT, Intersindical CNT and COS. They were joined by aFFaC, the Federated Associations of Students' Families of Catalonia, as well as social and health-related groups. Among those taking part were the Students' Union of the Catalan Countries, Barcelona library workers on indefinite strike, and Barcelona City Council employees.
Union leaders said they want a country-wide demonstration to push for what they described as a grand agreement for public education. Iolanda Segura, general secretary of USTEC, said the sector is facing an unprecedented educational crisis and argued that structural changes are needed. She also said the 2009 law has failed and should be reviewed.
Laura Gené, general secretary of education for CGT, called on the government to stop what she described as an educational emergency and to negotiate with the strike committee. Jordi de Carreras, president of aFFaC, also backed the call for a grand agreement, saying families want clear objectives, a timetable and enough resources.
The dispute has already led to 25 strike days across Catalonia, including 11 in Barcelona, along with large demonstrations and road blockades. Unions say they are willing to keep working through the summer if needed, but warn they will return to the streets in autumn if there is no progress.
Unions opposed to the agreement with the Education Department have called an assembly for 20 June to set their strategy for the next academic year. For more Catalonia-wide education coverage, see our news tag.
