The fourth day of the educational strike of the course in Catalonia has once again moved the conflict to the streets this Wednesday, with protests and road blockades in Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, Granollers, and Torredembarra. The mobilizations have taken place after the union meeting on Tuesday ended without an agreement and on the eve of a new negotiation scheduled for the afternoon.
The pressure has focused on a point that goes beyond the salary debate. Although there were advances in Tuesday's negotiation regarding a gross bonus of 35 euros for all teachers and the recovery of salary scales modified in 2012, other demands such as heat in classrooms, mental health, and lack of resources for inclusive education weighed more heavily in the marches.
The blockades reached the A 7, the A 2, and the Ronda Litoral at midday
Around midday, protesters blocked several of the main access and transit routes in the territory. The disruptions included the A 7 in Granollers, Girona, and Torredembarra, the A 2 in Lleida, and the Ronda Litoral in Barcelona.
The call extended to different points in Catalonia in another day of stoppage in the education sector. The unions' objective was to maintain pressure before the afternoon negotiation, after the meeting held on Tuesday closed without an agreement.
The streets prioritized staffing and inclusive education over the 35 euro bonus
On Monday, a concentration in Pla de Palau, Barcelona, moved to Drassanes with slogans focused on the conditions in the centers. Among the most repeated slogans were "Illa, Illa, Illa, we want more staff," along with banners with messages about mental health and the lack of educational resources.
In that protest, discontent also emerged regarding the heat in classrooms and the attention to inclusive education, two of the most repeated demands among participants. In parallel, the negotiation keeps on the table a new gross salary bonus of 35 euros for all teachers and the recovery of salary scales retouched in 2012.
The attendance figures on Monday once again showed the usual discrepancy between organizers and municipal sources. The organization estimated participation at 15,000 people, while the Guàrdia Urbana placed it at 7,000.
The negotiation on Tuesday did leave on the table the recovery of the salary scales modified in 2012, in addition to the gross 35 euro supplement for all teaching staff.