Negotiations Collapse, Union Calls Proposal ‘Humiliating’
On May 14, 2026, the initial negotiation between the Valencian Regional Department of Education and the unions representing striking teachers failed to reach an agreement. The unions harshly criticized the government’s proposal, stating it was ‘the same old story’ and failed to address their core demand for a salary increase. The UGT union went further, calling the proposal a ‘humiliating document’ and demanding the resignation of the entire leadership of the Department of Education.
The only outcome of the talks was an agreement to meet again next Monday, May 18. However, until then, the teachers’ indefinite strike will continue.
Salary Demands at the Forefront Amidst Conflicting Statements
The issue of salary is the central reason for the breakdown in negotiations. The teachers’ unions had made it clear before the meeting that their six core demands, including a pay raise, were non-negotiable. However, the Department of Education presented no concrete plan for a salary increase during the talks.
In response, Valencian Education Minister Carmen Ortí claimed that salary was not discussed because ‘every single union’ had told her it was not the most important issue at the moment. This statement directly contradicts the unions’ public position, further deepening the mistrust between the two sides.
Protests Escalate, Putting Education System Under Pressure
While the negotiations were underway, frontline teaching staff continued to exert pressure through protests. At 9:00 AM on May 14, thousands of educators gathered outside the Department of Education headquarters to support the unions’ demands. They blew whistles and chanted slogans, with a large presence of National Police maintaining order.
The unions have announced plans for a larger protest rally in Valencia this Friday, May 15. Meanwhile, pressure within the education system is mounting. Reportedly, 1,200 school principals have issued a joint statement warning they will consider resigning en masse if the strike deadlock is not resolved. Some teachers have even proposed giving all final-year high school (Segundo de Bachillerato) students a perfect score of 10 as a form of protest. The ongoing strike has undoubtedly caused significant disruption to the normal academic routine in the region.
