Trade unions Ustec, CGT, COS, and CNT have publicly accused public high school management in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat of "possible reprisals" against teachers. These alleged actions target educators who participated in recent strikes and collective organisation efforts.
A manifesto released on Thursday detailed how some teachers received warnings that their continued employment next academic year "could be conditioned" by their involvement in industrial action. The unions also claim certain management teams requested the names of staff members participating in worker assemblies. "Many workers have stated they felt uncomfortable and violated by treatment they perceive as hostile and intimidating from their management," the unions asserted. This alleged treatment creates a hostile environment for those exercising their fundamental rights.
Additionally, the unions report instances where schools allegedly obstructed the right to strike. They claim management did not include team members in minimum services draws, a practice of dubious legitimacy. Some schools also reportedly invited students not to attend classes on strike days. Furthermore, the unions state that many centres ignored a Generalitat directive. This directive asks that essential services be provided preferentially by staff not exercising their right to strike.
Concerns Over Staffing Decree Powers
The unions attribute these issues partly to the current staffing decree, known as the "decreto de plantillas". This decree allows school directors to have preferences when selecting teaching staff without permanent positions. They argue some centres use this power to avoid retaining teachers who joined strikes. This practice "could feed bossism" and goes against the core principles of public service, the unions believe. Public service must ensure schools function well based on strictly professional, pedagogical, and organisational criteria. The unions lament that this technical loophole in the decree allows for such discretionary decisions, potentially undermining fair employment.
Impact on L'Hospitalet's Public Education
L'Hospitalet de Llobregat is the second-largest city in Catalonia, located immediately southwest of Barcelona. It is home to over 260,000 residents and has numerous public high schools serving a diverse student population. This situation directly impacts the working conditions of educators across the city. It also affects the democratic functioning of public institutions in the region. The unions argue this situation opens a debate about the fundamental model of educational centres. Should they be based on trust, participation, and transparency, or on fear and patronage? They highlight the importance of protecting teachers' rights to organise and express dissent freely. This is critical for a healthy educational environment.
Calls for Investigation and Policy Change
Ustec, CGT, COS, and CNT have repeatedly called for the repeal of the staffing decree. They aim to end selection processes that favour management's preferences rather than professional merit. The unions urge the Department of Education, part of the Generalitat de Catalunya, to investigate these claims thoroughly. They also call on the Generalitat and L'Hospitalet City Council to officially look into these possible abuses of power. The four unions stress the need to strengthen worker organisation within schools to guarantee democracy and prevent future intimidation. This collective action is seen as vital for the future of public education and its staff.
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Originally published by El Periódico Barcelona. Read original article.
