According to El Español, the indefinite strike by teachers in the Valencian Community, called by the STEPV, CCOO and UGT unions in May 2026, has been suspended since June but not called off. The unions say they could restart it "at any time" if the regional education department (Conselleria de Educación) does not reopen talks on the remaining demands.

Rubén Navas, STEPV coordinator for Alicante province, says the protest was not only about pay. It was also about problems the new school year has not solved: class sizes (ratios), staffing (plantillas), inclusion, infrastructure and bureaucracy. Navas says he personally lost more than €2,000 because of the strike, but does not rule out going back to it.

The Conselleria has signed a deal with two other unions, ANPE and CSIF, on a phased pay rise that will reach €200 a month by January 2028. It comes in three instalments. The first, €75, has already appeared in September 2026 payslips. A further €75 is expected in January 2027 and the final €50 in January 2028. STEPV, CCOO and UGT rejected the deal as "insufficient" and as stretched out until 2028.

Navas calculates that after tax and contributions, €75 gross leaves about €50 net a month, or about €700 net a year. He says that over two decades teachers have lost more than €400 a month in purchasing power. STEPV also wants extra payments (pagas extras) restored to 100%. The union says they have been paid at 86% since 2010.

The Conselleria has announced a plan to cut class sizes gradually up to the 2031-2032 school year. In primary (Primaria) the limit would fall from 25 to 22 pupils, in compulsory secondary (ESO) from 30 to 25, and in Bachillerato (upper secondary) from 35 to 28. Navas says class sizes have not come down this school year, with averages still at 25 in primary and 30 in secondary. He says late enrolment of new pupils means some classes have 27-28 pupils in primary and up to 32 in secondary.

The union is asking for more Pedagogía Terapéutica (therapeutic pedagogy) and Audición y Lenguaje (hearing and language) teachers, and more educational support staff (atención educativa). Navas says special education centres have 6 pupils per class but still lack staff. He also says pupils with special educational needs in mainstream schools do not get enough support.

Cutting bureaucracy was one of the few issues on which the sector negotiating committee (mesa sectorial) managed to reach an agreement, but the union says much more needs to be done. Navas also says many schools in the province have leaking roofs, no climate control and buildings in poor condition. He says the announced investment is not reaching every school, nor as fast as needed.

What happens next

  • 11 November: the union has confirmed it will take part in the general strike (huelga general). The source does not say whether school classes will be cancelled or what minimum services apply.
  • 12 December: a rally (concentración) is planned in the three provincial capitals of the Valencian Community. Locations and times have not been given.
  • Consultation: the unions are asking teachers about a proposal for action in the coming months, including a possible three-day strike in January or February 2027. No date has been confirmed. Turnout in the consultation and pressure on the street will decide whether the strike resumes.
  • Photo campaign: STEPV is preparing a campaign in schools to show the shortcomings: class sizes, leaks and staff shortages.

The source does not include a response from the Conselleria de Educación to the unions' statements.