Teacher strikes in Spain defy partisan lines, data shows

Beyond the PP: Strikes hit regions without conservative rule

Why do teachers only strike where the PP governs? This catchy headline collapses upon checking the data. The geography of educational strikes does not match electoral maps. While conflicts exist in PP-led autonomous communities, they also occurred recently in regions where the PP has no power. The key factor appears to be funding distribution, not the political tonalidad of regional governments.

The counterexample that breaks the narrative: Catalonia

Catalonia is not governed by the PP, far from it. Yet educational strikes have been called there too. Those claiming strikes are exclusive to PP-run regions lose their argument when looking at northeastern Spain. An alternative reading suggests unions mobilize against any executive not aligned with them, pressuring some here and others there. The classic accusation is that unions only act against adversaries while staying silent for allies, with education being their preferred battleground.

Asturias: Strike under Socialist government

The second counterexample is even more troubling. Last year, teachers struck in Asturias, a region governed by the PSOE (Spanish Socialist Workers' Party). These walkouts achieved part of their demands, leading to subsequent adjustments in regional budgets. Thus, the pattern is not a one-way ticket against the PP. Teacher mobilizations occur under various political signs, each responding to its own balance of forces and timeline.

Subsidized unions, employers too

Here enters the heated argument regarding subsidies. Common complaints target major unions like CCOO and UGT, sustained by public funds. A recurring nuance is that employer associations and self-employed organizations also receive funding, yet few raise voices when checks go elsewhere. An uncomfortable question remains: if a union depends on state subsidies, can it freely oppose those who sign them? There is no clean answer. Incentives exist, and incentives weigh heavier than slogans.

From school vouchers to forty-hour workweeks

Among discussed alternatives, two stand out. One is the school voucher: families receive their proportional share of taxes to choose centers, similar to healthcare systems in neighboring countries. The other is labor-related, affecting teachers themselves: moving to a forty-hour workweek. Primary and secondary teaching staff is predominantly female, between 70% and 80%, and their main battle concerns working conditions, not just salaries.

So before attributing colors to the next strike's governing party, look at the budget colors. Those preferring headlines over spreadsheets have an easy, likely wrong, answer.