One of the mobilizations within the framework of the Navarra teachers’ strike of September 26th. (Iñigo Uriz | FOKU)
This Tuesday, teachers in Navarre are facing their second day of strike in a month, after a period of negotiations with the Ministry of Education was not long enough to cancel the day.
All public sector unions are calling on teachers to stand down and take to the streets to demand, among other things, lower ratios, less bureaucratic burdens and better pay. The department held its first strike on September 26, and has been discussing the issue with its advisor Carlos Jimeno ever since.
First, in recent weeks, unions have called for reduced proportions in classrooms to give more attention to each student.
Second, teachers say they want to reduce teacher turnover and increase stability, as many staff are still on interim contracts.
Their third demand is to restore purchasing power. Unions have denounced the loss of purchasing power in recent years and are demanding better pay for professionals to improve the education system.
Finally, the required workload is reduced. The union believes that in addition to class time, the time spent by teachers is excessive.
There are several calls for mobilization this Tuesday. Information signs will begin at 8:00 at the entrance to each education center. Demonstrators will then form a column in Irunya at 10 o’clock heading towards the provincial headquarters on Calle Santo Domingo, from where they will depart for Congress at 11 o’clock. In Tutela, another demonstration is scheduled to take place from Plaza Los Fueros, also at 11 o’clock.
In the afternoon, the union called for another demonstration from the old Irunya bus stop at 5pm.
posture approach
Trade unions and education have come to a close position on yesterday’s strike, with the strike committee saying it is “positive” that the Department for Education has responded with “incremental improvements” in negotiations over working conditions in recent weeks. I’m thinking. .
Jimeno accepted some of the union’s demands, including a linear reduction in the ratio at the primary level and a reduction in teachers’ organizational training hours. All trade unions are grateful that the sector continues to respond with gradual improvements to mobilization.
But unions regret that the new proposals fall “far short” of their expectations. “That’s not true. The first of our four points was workforce stability, which was not addressed in this department’s proposal and was not even named.”
“The issue of loss of purchasing power is also not addressed and, in fact, has no reference whatsoever,” while the demand for a reduction in the ratio is “completely inadequate and affects only a very small number of people across Navarre.” It’s not clear if or how that applies to ESO. Furthermore, it is unclear what will happen to unnamed FPs and high schools. In other words, the effectiveness of Navarre in the classroom is virtually zero.
Regarding his fourth point, the reduction in training hours, he said that the proposed reduction of 10 hours per year is “the minimal amount of work that education professionals will be exposed to.” I felt regretful.
