The unions Ustec, Aspepc, CGT, and Intersindical have activated a 17-day strike in educational centers in Catalonia to demand salary improvements, more resources for inclusion plans, and a reduction in bureaucracy. The minister Esther Niubó has summoned the unions for a new meeting this Thursday, amid the escalation of the conflict.
The call comes after CCOO and UGT signed an agreement with the Govern that the conveners consider insufficient, although it included an annual salary increase of 3,000 euros and 50 euros per night for colony shifts. The distance between the parties was also exposed in the first general strike on May 12, with a follow-up of 32% according to the ministry and 70% according to the unions.
The first day left opposite figures on the follow-up and the protest
On May 12, the calendar opened with a general strike throughout Catalonia and a unitary demonstration in Barcelona. 80,000 people participated in that protest, according to the unions, compared to the 26,000 counted by the Guàrdia Urbana.
In addition to the push for attendance, the unions have tried to broaden the pressure beyond the teaching staff. In the message addressed to families, the organizers asked for support with a direct appeal to the educational community.
"You are also an educational community, we need you by our side" - Ustec, Aspepc, CGT and Intersindical
The strike is not limited to three days of general strike. The calendar adds two additional days for the zero to three years stage and two rounds of territorial strikes spread between May and June.
Strikes are spread across regions until June 5
After the general strike on May 12, the following territorial strikes begin on May 13 in Baix Llobregat and Penedès, continue on May 14 in Girona and Central Catalonia, and proceed on May 15 in Lleida, Alt Pirineu, and Aran.
Then they will arrive on May 18 in Barcelona and the rest of Barcelonès, on May 19 in Vallès Occidental, Vallès Oriental and Maresme, and on May 21 in Tarragona and Terres de l'Ebre. The other two general days are set for May 27 and June 5.
The second round of territorial strikes will resume on May 28 in Vallès Occidental, Vallès Oriental, and Maresme, will continue on May 29 in Baix Llobregat and Penedès, and will continue on June 1 in Girona and Catalunya Central.
The final stretch includes June 2 in Barcelona and the rest of Barcelonès, June 3 in Tarragona and les Terres de l'Ebre, and June 4 in Lleida, Alt Pirineu and Aran.
Education sets minimum services and rejection of colonies and outings grows
The Generalitat de Catalunya has set minimum services for the strike days through an edict from the Departament de Treball. In infant, primary, and ESO, one teacher will have to work for every three classrooms, and each center will have to have at least one member of the management team.
In special education, 50% of the staff will work. In nursery schools, 33% of the staff will be maintained, and half of the staff for dining rooms, kitchens, reception, extracurricular activities, and attention to students with special educational needs will also continue.
The conflict has already moved to the activity of the next school year. A thousand schools and institutes have joined the campaign to reject trips and camps until the Departament d'Educació implements structural changes in the public network.
The school boards of those centers have agreed to suspend school trips and overnight camps for the next school year until real and effective changes in public education arrive, on their terms.