On 5 and 6 November 2026, dozens of teachers in the Community of Madrid occupied several schools and premises of the regional education administration. The actions were directed at the Consejería de Educación and the minister responsible, Mercedes Zarzalejo with a demand for direct negotiations on working conditions and the organisation of teaching. Media reports mentioned, among other things, Encierros in Fuenlabrada and occupations in a building used by the Consejería.
The actions are part of a strike movement in the public education system of the Comunidad de Madrid that has been under way since 14 October 2026. According to unions, the reasons include staff shortages, heavy workloads, calls for smaller classes and a reduction in compulsory teaching hours. On 5 November, demonstrators marched in Madrid along a route from Atocha to Sol; media reported further isolated Encierros on 6 November. In addition to representatives of a strike committee, the unions CCOO, UGT and CSIF.
The regional administration rejected criticism that it was unwilling to talk. According to reports, it said the forms of protest must not disrupt school operations or harm pupils’ interests, and called for school neutrality to be respected. The organisers said the occupations were an escalation after, in their account, formal requests for negotiations had received no substantive offer. Police were present in some cases; an arrest had been mentioned in an earlier context and was linked to the current dispute.
The practical effects of the actions included local lesson cancellations, extra organisational work for school leaders and temporary difficulties with childcare for younger children. Politically, the escalation increases pressure on the Consejería de Educación to establish a structured framework for negotiations with clear timelines and verifiable commitments. Whether and when official talks will begin remained open; the reports cited did not include an announcement of a date by 6 November.
The details of the locations, events and participants are based on consistent, publicly available reports by Spanish media, including the national news agency EFE, Europa Press, and broadcasters LaSexta and Telemadrid. They document the Encierros on 5 and 6 November 2026, the teachers’ demands, the regional government’s position and the role of the unions. Attributions and assessments are identified as such in the text.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).