Valencian Teachers’ Strike Continues After Partial Salary Deal Splits Unions
A partial agreement on salaries between the Valencian government and two minority teachers’ unions fractured the united front of an indefinite strike, but the three largest unions rejected the offer as insufficient, leaving the walkout in its third week.
Strike enters third week
The indefinite strike by public non‑university teachers in the Valencian Community began on 11 May 2026. On Monday 25 May — the eleventh day of the action — the regional Education Department and the five striking unions resumed talks after two weeks of protests.
- Indefinite teachers’ strike begins in the Valencian Community.
- 11th day of strike; Education Department and five unions meet.
- ANPE and CSIF sign a partial salary agreement, breaking union unity.
- Next negotiation session scheduled to discuss class ratios and other issues.
Partial agreement fractures union unity
Late on Monday the Education Department secured a micro‑agreement with two unions, ANPE and CSIF, which together represent about 30 % of the unionised workforce. The deal includes a phased 200‑euro increase in the regional salary supplement: 75 euros from September 2026, another 75 euros from January 2027, and a final 50 euros from January 2028. The last increment is subject to a commitment to index it to the consumer price index and to be renegotiated depending on the budget. The text also grants six days of free disposal per school year (three teaching days, three non‑teaching days) and formally recognises the right to digital disconnection. Teleworking and a general right to work off‑site were also mentioned in earlier proposals but are not in the signed document.
Majority unions hold out for more
The three largest unions — STEPV, CCOO PV and UGT PV — immediately rejected the offer and announced they would present a counter‑proposal on Tuesday. Their demand remains a 20 % pay rise to recover purchasing power lost since 2010, with an annual CPI‑linked review. Education Councillor Carme Ortí welcomed the partial accord as “a first step to bring calm back to the classrooms” and said it places Valencian teachers “among the best paid in Spain”. However, STEPV spokesperson Marc Candela pointed out that the signing unions “represent only 30 % and the Education Department knows that 70 % are not in agreement,” questioning the legitimacy of the deal.
A first step has been taken to restore calm to the classrooms.
The two signing unions represent only 30 % and the Education Department knows that 70 % are not in agreement.
Participation and next steps
Official figures released by the Education Department put strike participation on 25 May at 22.98 % across the region. By province, Alicante recorded 23.45 %, Castellón 23.95 % and Valencia 22.29 %.
- Alicante
- 23.45 %
- Castellón
- 23.95 %
- Valencia
- 22.29 %
Negotiations on unresolved issues — notably a reduction in class‑size ratios and the promotion of the Valencian language — are set to resume on Tuesday 26 May at 16:00. The strike therefore continues, with the majority unions still insisting on a broader deal before returning to normal.
