In a troubling development for educators in L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, unions have raised alarms over potential retaliatory actions against teachers who participated in recent strikes. The unions Ustec, CGT, COS, and CNT allege that some teachers are being warned that their job security may be jeopardized due to their involvement in collective organizing efforts.
Claims of intimidation and abuse of power
The unions issued a public manifesto detailing these concerns, stating that certain school administrations have requested the names of teachers involved in strike assemblies. This practice has sparked fears of discrimination based on activism. “The continuity of some educators could be conditioned by their participation in mobilizations,” the manifesto asserts.
Furthermore, the unions criticize a decree regarding staffing that allows school directors to favor certain candidates when selecting teachers without permanent positions. They argue this provision has been exploited by some institutions to deny job security to those who engaged in protests. Such actions are seen as fostering an environment where favoritism and intimidation can thrive.
“Selecting staff based on activism could promote clientelism,” the unions stated, emphasizing that it undermines the core principles of public service.
The situation is compounded by reports from union members indicating that some schools have obstructed the right to strike through questionable practices. Allegations include excluding administrative staff from minimum service lotteries and pressuring students not to attend classes during strikes. These actions contradict directives from the Generalitat aimed at ensuring essential services are maintained by non-striking personnel.
“Many workers have expressed feeling uncomfortable and intimidated by what they perceive as hostile treatment from their administrations,” the unions noted.
This climate of fear raises critical questions about the educational model being fostered within these institutions: whether they will prioritize trust, participation, and transparency or succumb to environments characterized by intimidation and control.
The four unions are calling for increased solidarity among workers within educational settings to safeguard democratic practices. They urge both the Generalitat and the L’Hospitalet City Council to conduct investigations into these alleged abuses of power.
As tensions rise between educators and school administrations, this situation highlights broader issues surrounding labor rights and governance within public education systems across Spain. The outcome of these allegations could set significant precedents for how teacher activism is treated moving forward.
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