In the Community of Madrid began an indefinite strike in public education on Wednesday. According to the union CCOO many teachers, students and families took part on the first day; the organisation put participation provisionally at around 70 per cent. Many schools reported restricted operations, with only the minimum services ordered by the administration in some institutions servicios mínimos maintaining basic operations.
Pickets held information activities outside schools early in the morning. Traffic on the Paseo de la Castellana was briefly halted during rush hour. Later, hundreds of teachers and students gathered at the Puerta del Sol, to protest against the regional government’s education policy and call for more investment, more staff, smaller classes and better pay. The Consejería de Educación had stressed in advance that servicios mínimos would be maintained; regional government representatives said they were in regular contact with the unions.
The most serious incident of the day took place on the campus of the Universidad Complutense at the Ciudad Universitaria. There was a police operation against groups of students. Authorities and media reported several arrests and injuries. The Delegación del Gobierno announced a review of the measures used, while also referring to reported attacks on officers. The university management said it had not requested a police presence on campus. The events are being investigated.
Those on strike point to structural problems in Madrid’s public education system that have remained unresolved for years. Alongside CCOO and UGT, smaller unions and groups from early-years and vocational education are taking part. Adimad, the association of senior teachers at public secondary schools, reported stronger support for the strike than in previous walkouts, but did not give its own figure.
The immediate effects of the indefinite strike include additional pressure on families and localised disruption to city traffic. Observers expect pressure on the regional government to grow the longer the industrial action continues. No official commitments have been made on further negotiating rounds or a possible end to the strike; both sides refer to ongoing talks. What is clear is that the coming days will show whether the high initial level of participation can be sustained and whether the Comunidad de Madrid responds with further commitments.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).