With just days to go before the new academic year begins in Catalonia, the region’s largest teachers’ union, Ustec, says a strike on the first day of school is almost certain. Union spokesperson Iolanda Segura said the chances of calling off the protest are slim, citing a lack of political will from the Department of Education. Scheduled talks with Education Minister Esther Niubó are unlikely to produce a breakthrough. Segura said the time for meaningful negotiation has passed.
Ustec’s position remains firm despite ongoing meetings between the Education Department and other unions, including CCOO and UGT, alongside Professors of Secondary Education. Segura said the union has received no large communication from the department since mid-July, adding to the sense of unresolved tension. She argues the strike could have been avoided if authorities had shown greater commitment to dialogue and concrete solutions.
The union is calling for 15,000 additional education professionals and smaller classes: 15 students in early education and basic school, with a maximum of 22 to 23 in secondary school. Salary issues also remain on the table. Ustec insists on a mechanism to adjust wages in line with the cost of living. The union has called for the direct involvement of the president of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa, in negotiations, though he is not expected to take part in the upcoming meeting.
With the start of the school year approaching, the risk of disruption is high, and thousands of families and students are likely to be affected. Catalonia’s situation reflects broader challenges in Spain’s education sector, where staffing levels and working conditions remain contested, alongside disputes over funding. In recent years, similar disputes have led to strikes and protests in other regions, as authorities struggle to balance educational quality with budget constraints. Recent incidents such as the political uncertainty surrounding education and public services have highlighted the complexity of managing reforms in the sector. The outcome of the current standoff in Catalonia may set a precedent for future negotiations across Spain.
