Madrid Education Sector Plans Indefinite Strike

• The Madrid education community is launching an indefinite strike beginning October 14 for secondary, high school, and vocational training centers.
• The movement seeks to reverse austerity measures implemented in 2011, which remain in place in Madrid while having been rescinded elsewhere.
• Protesters are organizing mass demonstrations and community assemblies to demand better working conditions and resources.

Core Demands

• Reduction of teaching hours: Targets of 17 hours for secondary and 22 for primary education.
• Lower student-teacher ratios to improve educational quality.
• Salary adjustments to address an 11.5% decline in real wages since 2010 and bridge the pay gap with other regions like the Basque Country (where secondary teachers earn €507 more per month).
• Urgent improvements to school climate control systems to combat extreme heat.
• Ending school segregation through measures like restoring "Aulas de Enlace" and supporting vulnerable centers.

Current Status

• Attempts to negotiate with Education Minister Mercedes Zarzalejo have been largely unsuccessful, prompting a shift toward escalation.
• A broad coalition of unions (including CCOO, UGT, and STEM) and advocacy groups like 'Asamblea Menos Lectivas' are leading the mobilization.
• Preparation involves local assemblies, information hubs, and a major public demonstration held on September 27 as a precursor to the October strikes.