A new large-scale teachers’ strike is starting in Catalonia, expected to impact schools across the region. The action comes in response to a recent agreement between authorities and two unions that do not represent the majority of education workers. Leading unions argue that the proposed measures fail to address key issues, and tensions in schools are rising. As noted by El Pais, the protests could bring significant changes to the region’s education system.
Teachers and other education workers are demanding not only wage increases but also better working conditions in schools. After the agreement between the Department of Education and the CC OO and UGT unions was rejected by the main organizations, the conflict escalated. As a result, four major unions, including Ustec and Aspepc, have announced a week-long strike. For the first four days, protests will take place in individual areas, followed by region-wide action across Catalonia on Friday.
Protest schedule
On Monday, schools in the Baix Llobregat and Barcelonès areas will join the strike. On Tuesday, protests will move to Penedès, Tarragona, and Terres de l’Ebre. Wednesday is the day for Pirineu-Aran, Cataluña Central, and Lleida, and on Thursday, Girona, Maresme, and both Vallès will participate. On Friday, the strike will include all educational institutions in the region. Not only public school teachers will join the protest, but also staff from preschools, centers for children with special needs, as well as cafeteria and after-school program workers. On the final day, representatives from private schools and students called by Sindicat d’Estudiants dels Països Catalans (SEPC) will also take part.
The agreement signed by the authorities with CC OO and UGT provided for a 30% increase in the regional allowance over four years, which would add about 800 euros a year to salaries. The document also included compensation for teachers accompanying children on field trips, a reduction in class sizes in challenging schools, additional resources for inclusive education, and fewer positions appointed at the discretion of school management. However, most unions believe these measures do not address the main problems and fail to offset the loss of income teachers have faced in recent years.
Reasons for dissatisfaction
Major unions such as Ustec, Aspepc, CGT, and Intersindical believe the agreement fails to address the root causes of the conflict. They point to the lack of genuine recovery in purchasing power, insufficient guarantees to reduce workloads, and a shortage of concrete steps to improve working conditions. Additionally, the unions accuse their colleagues who signed the agreement of making the decision without broad discussion or through official negotiations. This has added tension not only between the unions themselves, but also within school communities.
The Department of Education claims that once the agreement is implemented, teachers in Catalonia will have some of the highest salaries in Spain. However, unions dispute these calculations, noting that the authorities compare future figures only within Catalonia and do not take into account possible changes in other regions of the country. According to El Pais, this situation has deepened mistrust between the parties and is one of the reasons behind the mass protests.
Impact on schools
Amid the ongoing conflict, many schools have found themselves in a difficult situation. The atmosphere in educational institutions has become tense, and parents and students are unsure about the stability of the school year. The strike could lead to a temporary suspension of classes, which is particularly challenging for families with young children. At the same time, the broad participation of teachers and other education staff highlights the depth of discontent and the need to find new solutions.
In recent years, Catalonia has already experienced large-scale strikes in the education sector. For example, in February 2024, a mass teachers’ protest led to the closure of most schools and became one of the region’s most high-profile events. Such actions often prompt authorities to reconsider their policies and initiate new negotiations between unions and the government. However, experience shows that compromises are not always reached quickly, and the effects on the education system can be felt for a long time.
