Barcelona was the focus of a teachers’ protest on Tuesday, when hundreds of educators blocked Casa Batlló for four hours to oppose a new education agreement and urge a “no” vote in the consultation on the pact.
Municipal police said around 1,000 people took part, while the CGT union put the figure at about 8,000. The action began early in the morning outside the Gaudí building on Passeig de Gràcia, with minority unions CGT, Intersindical and COS backing the strike.
Before 9:30am, about 200 teachers arrived in two bicycle groups, organised from Fabra i Puig and the Campana area on Gran Via. They placed desks and chairs at the entrances, stopping visitors from entering. It was the second protest to target a tourist site, after a similar action at the Sagrada Família on 18 May.
Ingrid Chavarria, general secretary of CGT Ensenyament, called the blockade a “great success” and said further action could follow if the Catalan government does not respond to their demands. Gerard Calvera, spokesperson for COS, also backed a negative vote, while Laia Fonts of Intersindical said future mobilisations should be decided in assemblies and closures.
The march carried banners calling for more resources and funding for public education, including the slogan “Niubó, specify inclusion”. After more than four hours, the teachers joined a larger demonstration that began at Palau Robert and went along Passeig de Gràcia to the Consortium of Education headquarters. Casa Batlló resumed normal operations by 1pm.
The agreement, reached last Friday between the Catalan government and the majority unions, includes a salary increase of €400 a month over four years or more staff for inclusive education. Teachers have until Thursday to vote, with results expected at midday. On Tuesday, the majority unions said 29,000 of the 96,857 teachers called to take part had already voted. For more Catalonia-wide coverage, see our news page.
