Madrid teachers strike enters fourth day with roadblocks and protests

The indefinite teachers' strike in Madrid entered its fourth day on Monday, October 19, with protests that included blocking the A-3 highway and forcing the cancellation of a visit by the regional education minister. The strike's official follow-up dropped to 15.4%, according to the Community of Madrid, down from 44.6% on the first day Source: ABC. However, union sources dispute this figure, and protests remained intense.

Roadblock and protest

Around 8:30 a.m., about 200 teachers blocked the A-3 at kilometer 5, placing desks on the road and halting traffic in the direction of the M-30 during rush hour Source: El Español. Police cleared the area by 9 a.m. Source: La Vanguardia. Later, some 1,000 protesters blocked the exit of President Isabel Díaz Ayuso from the Palacio de Santoña, prompting police charges Source: El Español.

Cancelled visit and political reactions

Education Minister Mercedes Zarzalejo cancelled a planned visit to the Antonio Palacios vocational school in Vallecas after 300 teachers gathered, chanting and setting off smoke bombs Source: La Vanguardia. The regional government cited security concerns Source: El Mundo. Opposition leaders supported the strike: Más Madrid's Manuela Bergerot called for Zarzalejo's censure, and Podemos MEP Irene Montero tweeted, "Ánimo y fuerza" Source: El Confidencial.

Key demands

• Salary increase: Teachers demand a €600 monthly raise and pay equalization with better-paid regions Source: Infobae.
• Reduced hours: They seek 17 weekly teaching periods in secondary and 22 in primary Source: El Confidencial.
• Lower ratios: Madrid has the highest student-to-teacher ratio in primary (23:1) in Spain Source: El Español.

Disagreement on salaries

While unions claim Madrid teachers are underpaid, a UGT report shows their salaries are near the national average: €2,473.60/month for primary teachers, compared to €2,858.46 in the Basque Country Source: El Español. The regional government calls the demands "totally unaffordable" Source: El Español.