Teachers’ Strike Hits Barcelona: Demands for Better Wages and Conditions
Barcelona, May 18th – Teachers across Barcelona and the wider Barcelonès region are engaging in a strike today, Monday, May 18th, marking another day of widespread disruption in Catalan schools. This action is part of an ongoing series of protests initiated by several teachers’ unions demanding significant wage increases and improved working conditions.
The current cycle of mobilizations, which began earlier this month, includes three general strikes across all of Catalonia and two additional strike days specific to each territory. Today’s strike specifically impacts schools and institutes in Barcelona, L’Hospitalet, Badalona, Sant Adrià de Besòs, and Santa Coloma de Gramenet.
Unresolved Negotiations and Disparate Demands
The core of the dispute revolves around salary increases and better resources for inclusive education, alongside a reduction in bureaucracy. The unions, primarily Ustec and Professors de Secundària (Aspepc), along with CGT and Intersindical, deem the agreement reached between CCOO and UGT with the regional government insufficient. That pact proposed a 3,000-euro annual salary increase and a 50-euro per night payment for school trips, among other measures.
In a meeting last Thursday, the Department of Education indicated a willingness to consider further salary improvements beyond the initial 3,000 euros, suggesting a slight shift in their stance. However, the striking unions maintain that this is not enough to address their demands, which include a 20% wage hike.
Widespread Disruption Expected
With previous strike days seeing significant participation, it is anticipated that today’s action will lead to considerable disruption. Teachers may block strategic points on Barcelona’s road network, potentially exacerbating the city’s already challenging traffic conditions.
The Catalan government has mandated minimum services for the strike, requiring one teacher per three classrooms in early childhood, primary, and secondary education. Additionally, at least one member of the management team must be present at each school. In special education centers, 50% of staff must work, while nurseries are required to maintain a minimum of 33% of their personnel. Minimum services also extend to half of the staff for dining, kitchen, reception, extracurricular activities, and support for students with special educational needs.
A Calendar of Ongoing Protests
The extensive strike calendar, distributed by the convening unions, highlights the prolonged nature of this conflict. Key dates include:
- May 7th: Early childhood (0-3 years)
- May 12th: General strike across Catalonia and demonstration in Barcelona
- May 13th: Baix Llobregat and Penedès
- May 14th: Girona and Central Catalonia
- May 15th: Lleida, Alt Pirineu, and Aran
- May 18th: Barcelona and the rest of Barcelonès (today)
- May 19th: Vallès Occidental, Vallès Oriental, and Maresme
- May 20th: Early childhood (0-3 years)
- May 21st: Tarragona and Terres de l’Ebre
- May 27th: General strike across Catalonia
- May 28th: Vallès Occidental, Vallès Oriental, and Maresme
- May 29th: Baix Llobregat and Penedès
- June 1st: Girona and Central Catalonia
- June 2nd: Barcelona and the rest of Barcelonès
- June 3rd: Tarragona and Terres de l’Ebre
- June 4th: Lleida, Alt Pirineu, and Aran
- June 5th: General strike across Catalonia and demonstration in Barcelona
Discrepancies in Strike Participation
Figures for previous strike days have varied significantly between the Department of Education and the unions. For the first general strike on May 12th, the regional government reported a 32% participation rate, while the convening unions claimed 70%. A unified demonstration in Barcelona on the same day drew tens of thousands of participants, with unions estimating 80,000 and the local police (Guardia Urbana) reporting 26,000.
Further Actions: Boycotting School Trips
Beyond the strikes, teachers are also implementing other protest measures, including a boycott of school trips and overnight stays for the upcoming academic year. Over a thousand schools and institutes have already joined the ‘Aturem les sortides educatives i les colònies’ campaign, advocating for the cessation of such activities until the Department of Education implements “real, structural, and effective improvements in the public education system.”
The ongoing conflict underscores the deep-seated grievances within the Catalan education sector, with teachers demanding a more substantial commitment from the regional government to address their concerns regarding salaries and working conditions.
Source: https://www.elperiodico.com/es/sociedad/20260518/huelga-profesores-barcelona-catalunya-hoy-lunes-18-mayo-dv-130131145
