Massive march for a dignified 0-3 education in Palma

PalmMore than a hundred people have marched through the streets of Palma in a demonstration to demand the negotiation of a collective agreement for the nursery schools despite the failed strike. The march, called by the Xarxa 0-3 of the Balearic Islands with the participation of the CCOO, UGT, and STEI unions, started at 6 p.m. in Plaça d'Espanya and went through Carrer de Sant Miquel, Plaça Major, and Carrer de Colom until reaching Plaça de Cort.

The demonstrators have called for dignified 0-3 education and fair conditions for educators in a loud protest led by a banner that read 'Dignification 0-3 Balearic Islands. New minimums decree and new regional agreement'. With signs bearing the phrases '0-3 Essential', 'No vocation can withstand this situation. Enough is enough' and 'More salary, fewer ratios', the protesting educators arrived at Plaça de Cort, where they performed an act: they sat on the ground, blindfolded themselves, and covered their ears, while the cries of babies sounded from a loudspeaker. "We are enduring, as we do every day," they said at the start.

Afterwards, they read a manifesto to claim the importance of their work and to lament, however, the "difficult conditions" of the sector. "We assume an essential responsibility: to care for, accompany, educate, and guarantee their well-being," they emphasized, in addition to demanding lower ratios, dignified salaries, and equality among all professionals in this stage.

Thus, they have demanded "real and urgent" solutions that involve a regional agreement. "Without dignified conditions, there is no quality education. We are not asking for privileges, we are asking for rights," they added.

Likewise, they thanked family members and other people from the educational community who have joined the march to defend childhood "with care and respect".

"We have received pressure to be silent, not to be here today, but we will not be silent," they said, before concluding by calling for "dignity for 0-3".

This Tuesday, the educators of the Balearic nursery schools were scheduled to join the strike day called at the state level. However, the mobilization has been frustrated by an alleged error in the processing of the strike at the Arbitration and Mediation Tribunal (TAMIB), as denounced publicly by the unions.