Public education in Madrid begins an indefinite strike with marches and rallies

Public non-university education in Madrid begins an open-ended strike this Wednesday, 14 October. CCOO, CGT, CNT, Solidaridad Obrera, STEM y UGT are leading the call together with the platforms Educación Especial Digna, Menos Lectivas y Queremos FP.

The unions are demanding a €600 monthly increase in the Complemento Específico General Docente, more staff and resources to support diversity. They are also calling for a reduction in teaching hours, bureaucratic tasks, and the number of students per class.

The day began with a sit-in by Educación Infantil professionals on the Castellana, near Eduardo Dato, which caused temporary roadblocks and delays. This group is demanding better pay and a negotiation table with the authorities.

Protest calendar

Wednesday 14: information pickets from 8:00, decentralised gatherings at 10:00, a rally in Sol at 12:00, and a march from Atocha to Sol at 18:00.

Thursday 15: pickets from 8:00, a human chain outside the Consejería de Educación at midday, and local assemblies in the afternoon.

Friday 16: pickets from 8:00, an open assembly in the Retiro at 12:00, and another march from Atocha to Sol at 18:00.

Operation of the centres

The strike does not mean a general closure of schools and institutes. Activity will depend on teacher participation and the minimum services established, so families should check communications from each centre.

The Education Councillor, Mercedes Zarzalejo, questions the strike call and maintains that negotiations are ongoing and a sectoral agreement is in place until 2028. The unions believe that progress so far is insufficient.

The protests also include participation from university groups. The Complutense has called an academic stoppage for this Wednesday, while platforms from the six public universities are preparing further strike days on 4 and 5 November.