TEACHERS in the Valencian Community have voted overwhelmingly to suspend their month-long ‘indefinite’ strike that has affected public-run schools.
Unions have described it as a ‘strategic break’ which will allow the strike to resume without giving any prior notice.
Schools will return to normal on Friday, although the academic year is winding down with the final day next Thursday- June 19.
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Union demands include better working conditions, higher salaries, lower pupil-teacher ratios, a reduction in bureaucracy, and a pledge to maintain lessons in the Valencian language.
67% of teachers- 17,633 people- voted to pause or call off the strike, and out of that total, the majority, 71% (12,526), opted for suspension.
They also only approved part of the regional government’s latest offer, which involves bureaucratic simplification.
The Ministry has proposed a gradual and progressive increase in teachers’ salaries, reaching an additional €200 per month by 2028, with any changes linked to the Consumer Price Index.
There had been threats of the salary hike being withdrawn if the strike action continued.
The Valencian Ministry of Education and the unions were scheduled to meet on Thursday for a new round of talks.
Despite the strike suspension, the co-ordinator of the STEPV union, Marc Candela, said: “This doesn’t stop here, the fight continues both in the summer and in September, and the strike can be reactivated at any time.”
“The teachers are not satisfied and we demand measures that are needed to have a dignified, quality education in Valencian,” he added.
The Secretary of Public Education for the CCOO union, Oscar Ortiz, emphasised the goal of the unions to reach a comprehensive agreement encompassing all the improvements needed by the Valencian public education system.
“Because the Regional Ministry of Education has decided to address the issue piecemeal, only bureaucratic simplification has received approval, “ said Ortiz.
“We.want the Ministry’s commitment to continue making progress on the remaining issues.”
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