The police open a disciplinary proceeding against the agent who assaulted a teacher in Valencia

ValenciaThe indefinite strike of teachers in the Valencian Community is heading into its fourth week with growing tension and almost blocked negotiations. Also with a standoff with the Spanish government delegation, which has initiated the procedure to open disciplinary proceedings against the National Police officer who this Sunday assaulted a teacher who was demonstrating at the gates of the Ministry of Education to ask the regional government to accept the teachers' demands. In the video shared on social media, the woman, a 68-year-old retired teacher, is seen walking down the street amidst the protests. Then, an officer, whose head is covered with a helmet, runs towards her, pushes her violently from behind, and knocks her to the ground.

According to information provided this Monday by the Valencian government delegation, the victim, who required medical attention and several stitches to the face, has filed a complaint for the events. In fact, yesterday, Sunday, the Spanish government delegate in the Valencian Country, Pilar Bernabé, had already described the events as "unacceptable" and announced that the facts would be investigated to "clarify responsibilities". Bernabé and the Spanish government's deputy delegate in the Valencia demarcation, José Rodríguez Jurado, held a meeting this Monday with the unions that called the strike to prevent any further aggression.

A police union justifies the assault

Unlike Bernabé, the Union Federal de Policía (UFP) union justified the actions of the State security forces this Monday. "The image corresponds to a police action to prevent them from blocking the streets [...]. One must act quickly, with minimal force, but with decision," it states in a post on X. The union also criticized the Spanish government delegation's desire to investigate the events. "You will not investigate anything, at most it is a judge who must determine responsibilities," they stated.

Telematic negotiations

The aggression occurs in an increasingly tense atmosphere between the ministry and the unions, with talks completely stalled. Also with new protests, such as the slow car marches that this Monday generated major traffic jams on the southern access roads to the city of Valencia.

Regarding negotiations, the Generalitat intends to continue them remotely and sector by sector, but the progressive unions (STEPV, CCOO, and UGT) criticize this option, even more so while the Generalitat does not make them a better offer. The workers' representatives also regret that the ministry refuses to reopen talks on remuneration, which the Generalitat considers closed because it has already agreed on them with the conservative unions CSIF and ANPE. The agreement foresees a salary increase of 200 euros over two years, with a review clause for linking salaries to the CPI from 2028 onwards.

For its part, the president of the Generalitat, Juanfran Pérez Llorca, has defended that in the negotiation there have been "concessions, dialogue, and understanding", and has called for avoiding tension. Furthermore, he has criticized violent acts or coercion and said that they "make no sense" within the framework of a negotiation process. Llorca made these statements at the Ciutat de la Llum in Alicante, where a group of teachers had gathered.

Negative consultation

The blockage of talks occurs after that on Saturday 91% of teachers rejected the proposal made by the ministry in a consultation in which 30,014 teachers participated. Furthermore, 80% opted to maintain the indefinite strike. The majority (54%) chose to continue with the protest, but by taking specific actions and mobilizations, and the remaining 26% preferred to keep it in the same format as until now. The only point on which the teaching staff has positioned themselves in favor of the proposal presented by the government is that of the reduction of bureaucracy.