The Catalan government’s Department of Education has put forward a new proposal to increase a key salary supplement for teachers by 25%, to be phased in over the next four years. The offer, presented during negotiations on Friday, marks a significant step in protracted talks with education unions, though representatives have already signalled that it may not be enough to secure a final agreement.

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Department sources indicate the improved terms will see the specific teaching supplement rise gradually until 2029, enhancing a previous offer of a 20% increase over five years. Educators have taken to the streets in recent months demanding better pay and working conditions, and these negotiations aim to address those long-standing demands. A major teachers’ strike on February 11 proved a significant catalyst, leading the administration to the table with an improved offer.

A Step Forward, But Not Far Enough

Friday’s meeting included representatives from Catalonia’s main education unions, including Ustec·Stes, the largest in the sector, as well as Comissions Obreres (CC.OO.) Educació and the Unió General de Treballadors (UGT). While they acknowledged progress, their response to the salary proposal was lukewarm.

Iolanda Segura, spokesperson for Ustec·Stes, told reporters that the offer remains insufficient. She calculated that the proposed 25% increase amounts to approximately €180 more per month in the specific supplement, but only after the full four-year implementation period. “We believe we have reached a consensus that brings positions closer on issues like inclusive schooling, bureaucracy, and democracy in schools,” Segura stated, but she stressed that the salary component fell short.

Ester Vila of CC.OO. Educació described the meeting as positive, noting that the recent strike had resulted in “an important document to improve teachers’ conditions.” However, regarding the pay offer, she stated, “We must continue working to reach a good agreement.”

Similarly, Lorena Martínez from UGT acknowledged the department’s “effort” but agreed the supplement increase needed to be higher. Despite the pay remaining a sticking point, she gave a positive overall assessment of the progress made on the document’s text, expressing confidence that further headway could be made next week.

Divisions and Absences

However, the united front of Catalan teaching unions showed some cracks, as not all were present at the negotiating table. Two unions, Aspepc·Sps and CGT Ensenyament, boycotted the meeting. In a statement, Aspepc·Sps cited what it called an “unacceptable lack of respect from the department” as its reason for absence, highlighting underlying tensions in the negotiation process.

The specific teaching salary supplement is a key part of an educator’s remuneration in Catalonia, designed to compensate for the unique technical demands and responsibilities of the profession. As unions continue to demand better pay to keep pace with the cost of living, this supplement has become a central focus of the dispute.

What Happens Next?

The Generalitat de Catalunya and the unions have agreed to reconvene next week to continue discussions, with a specific focus on the remuneration package. While progress was made on several important non-salary issues, the financial offer remains the primary obstacle to a comprehensive deal that could bring stability to the region’s education sector.

The outcome of these talks could also be influenced by the wider political and fiscal landscape, as the government navigates a complex budgetary stalemate that could impact public sector spending across the board. The information regarding the meeting was initially reported by the news agency Europa Press.