The strike, also supported by CCOO, highlights the institutional neglect of this crucial educational stage. The organizations have stated their intention to continue the stoppages “as long as necessary” until changes are achieved that ensure quality education for early childhood.
Key demands include the integration of the first cycle of Early Childhood Education into the new education law and a reduction in classroom ratios. Specifically, they request three infants per educator, five children aged 1 to 2, and six children aged 2 to 3. They also call for the regulation of early intervention services within the educational system and the establishment of specific ratios for professional profiles such as counselors, therapeutic pedagogues, and speech and language teachers.
Another critical demand is the recognition of direct management sector professionals as teaching staff, rather than labor staff, along with the implementation of “dignified” salaries that equalize their conditions with other management models. Furthermore, they seek improved maintenance of center infrastructures to ensure safe spaces and greater public funding to advance towards universal and free access to the first cycle of Early Childhood Education.
Meanwhile, UGT Public Services has called a strike limited to this Tuesday for personnel affected by the XIII Early Childhood Education Collective Bargaining Agreement, targeting indirectly managed and regionally owned schools. UGT argues that the stability of educational projects depends on their professionals, not on the contracting companies, advocating for a new bidding process that updates specifications and guarantees better working conditions.
The stability of educational projects depends on their professionals, not on the contracting company. Without dignified working conditions, there can be no talk of quality or educational continuity.
The Early Childhood Education Labor Platform has scheduled various protest actions throughout the week. This Tuesday, a concentration will take place in front of the Ministry of Education at 12:00 PM. On Wednesday, at the same time, another protest is planned in front of the Ministry of Education, Science and Universities. Finally, on Thursday at 6:00 PM, a performance will be held in Plaza de Callao to highlight the precarious labor conditions in the sector.
The regional government's Minister of Education, Science and Universities, Mercedes Zarzalejo, previously framed this strike as a conflict between workers and contracting companies. The Madrid official expressed her hope for fruitful negotiations on collective agreements and affirmed that the Community would guarantee minimum services to avoid harm to families.
