If education workers win, we all win!

The workers are giving a great example of struggle that must be supported and extended. A great movement is needed in defense of education 100% public, of quality and with full labor rights.

By Gérard Florenson

The bases decide NO

The education staff clearly responded NO to the pre-agreement of the 29 of May between the Education Department of the Government of Catalonia and the majority unions. There was widespread rejection among primary school teachers, a tight approval in secondary school and, especially, a massive rejection by non-teaching staff, forgotten by both the agreements and the consultation. This result, that surprised the “observers” in Catalonia, in the Spanish State and in numerous countries, immediately translated into a strengthening of the mobilizations.

The question had the merit of clarity: accept the pre-agreement by voting YES or, in case of negative vote, commit to carrying out the necessary strikes. The positive thing is that, after rejection, a broad union unity seems to be recomposing. USTEC spokeswoman, The majority union in Catalonia that had participated in the pre-agreement stated that it took into account the result of the consultation and called for increasing pressure to force the Department of Education to make new concessions.. The CGT, meanwhile, wants the common union front to be rebuilt to continue the fight.

The first lesson from what is happening in Catalonia is that the “base”, the workers mobilized and organized in their general assemblies, has the capacity not only to reject the agreements reached at the top, but also to force the union leaderships to return to the path of struggle. A reflection that deserves to be considered in other sectors and beyond, in all the places where bureaucrats justify their passivity by appealing to a supposed lack of initiative on the part of the working class.

The problems of the pre-agreement

The salary issue was brought to the fore by the Govern (PSC-PSOE)to brag about their great efforts and by a part of the press to denounce that these teachers, already supposedly privileged, They were too demanding. Nevertheless, if the proposed increases are observed, distributed over four years, non-signatory unions have shown that not only do they not compensate for the accumulated losses of previous years, but, Besides, without salary indexation linked to inflation, Those improvements could quickly evaporate.

Another axis of the fight is the hiring of personnel, and not only teachers. Reducing ratios—fewer students per class and more staff in educational centers—is essential to respond to needs and guarantee quality teaching for a diverse student body.. One can talk indefinitely about “integration” or debate about a “Catalonia of 10 millions", but the key lies in strengthening the public service. From this perspective, the proposals of the Govern They are insufficient because they do not take into account the accumulated deficit or the need to repair the damage caused by years of cuts.

Beyond templates, It is the working conditions that generate the indignation of the staff: the deterioration of the facilities (There are still numerous prefabricated classrooms), the lack of thermal insulation—not to mention the absence of air conditioning—which makes work an impossible task during heat waves. The pre-agreement completely left non-teaching staff on the sidelines, such as administrative and service workers, educational care staff, educators and those in charge of leisure activities. These are precisely the lowest paid and most precarious groups!! The strong sensitivity of the teaching staff regarding the defense of the Catalan language, questioned by Spanish justice, It is also affected by the absence of support from the Govern.

What perspectives does the fight have??

It will be necessary to hit hard because the response of the Minister of Education of the Govern, Esther Niubó, was just as categorical: is not willing to go beyond the pre-agreement and the majority position of the teaching staff does not seem to care. Who can doubt that this intransigence has the support of the “socialist” president Salvador Illa? For the supposed left, beyond grandiloquent speeches, There are other priorities before education, health and housing, vital services for the population but that capitalists consider unnecessary expenses.

Definitely, The proximity of school holidays can influence mobilization, but there are also favorable conditions. Salvador Illa is trapped in negotiations to achieve approval of his budget and would prefer to avoid all this social unrest, visible and commented beyond the Principality. further, does not know how its partners — COMMUNS and ERC — might react, both with internal difficulties—if the Department of Education maintains its inflexible stance. It is possible that the signing of the pre-agreement by USTEC, union linked to ERC, had precisely the objective of avoiding these problems, but the play has not gone as expected.

The start of the library staff strike reinforces the mobilization. And the actions are not limited to work stoppages. Everyone has seen the strength of the demonstrations and has measured the impact of the blockades. further, unions, especially the CGT, who has already made his intentions clear, They will mobilize without respecting truces or for the Pope's visit, not even for the Tour de France, not even for the Formula 1 Grand Prix... All of this promises to generate a significant climate of tension.

Catalonia is not isolated!

Not only is the mobilization of teachers in the Valencian Country intense, but the education unions of the Community of Madrid are also entering the fight for salaries and working conditions. Not only will the days left until the school holidays be hectic, But a “summer truce” seems unlikely. There is no intention to relax the pressure and it is necessary to prepare for the next year a large unified strike throughout the Spanish State, that involves the entire educational community, its workers, students, parents, to neighborhood organizations, cultural, social and political, with the support of the unions. On the path to succeeding with the demands and forging new democratic and combative leaders.

If the teachers win, they will set a great example to follow., both to encourage claims in different sectors of deferred workers and to put limits on the supposed “left” that governs with the support of other “progressives”. A great movement is needed in defense of education 100% public, quality and with full labor rights! Yes, education workers win, we all win!

You may also interest you: Rebellion in the classrooms.