The Labour Platform of Early Childhood Schools (PLEI) accuses the City Council of leaking information about workers who appealed contract extensions, which allegedly led to coercion from management companies.
The Labour Platform of Early Childhood Schools (PLEI) has filed a complaint against the Madrid City Council for leaking personal data of educators amidst an indefinite strike that has already lasted over 90 days. The platform claims that the City Council transferred identifying information of workers who had filed administrative appeals against the indirect management contract extension approved in April to management companies.
A Data Transfer the Platform Calls Irregular
According to the PLEI, the communication of this data “led to repression and coercion” from some companies towards the signatories. The platform believes that the transfer was “unnecessary and irregular,” as the City Council could have verified the legitimacy of the appellants without sharing their identities. This Monday, July 13, the educators will go to the Education Commission of the City Council, located on Calle Mayor, to demand explanations from the mayor, José Luis Martínez-Almeida.
“We demand that possible coercions be investigated and that the administration act to protect those affected,” states the PLEI in a statement.
The municipal group Más Madrid has already filed a complaint regarding data protection, while the workers are considering legal actions against both the implicated companies and the City Council itself. The potential violation of data protection regulations, as well as principles such as good faith and legal security, is at the heart of the conflict.
Over Three Months of Strike and a Candlelit Night March
The indefinite strike, which began on April 7, is the first of its kind in the 0 to 3-year cycle in the Community of Madrid. Participation reached 75% during the general strike day on May 7 and has highlighted the precariousness of the sector. On the 92nd day of mobilization, hundreds of workers marched through the streets of Madrid in a candlelit procession from Atocha to Puerta del Sol, accompanied by recordings of babies crying.
“We are exhausted, not silent,” “Dignity 0-3” or “The strength of 0-3 will continue to shine until everyone sees us,” were some of the slogans.
The conflict worsens in summer, as early childhood schools are the only educational segment that does not interrupt its activities in July. The workers denounce high ratios, low salaries, and lack of professional recognition. Their main demand is to ensure “decent working conditions to educate as childhood deserves.”
Insufficient Progress and Continuation of the Struggle
The Ministry of Education has published a draft decree that includes reducing ratios in classrooms, one of the historical demands of the group. However, the educators believe that the measure is insufficient unless accompanied by other reforms, such as the establishment of the “educational pair” —two professionals per classroom— and substantial improvements in working conditions.
Despite the accumulated weariness, the platform assures that it will maintain mobilization throughout July with new actions and assemblies. “Nothing stops us. We continue to fight,” say the PLEI, which insists that the conflict has brought to light a structural problem in the 0-3 educational system, directly impacting children's rights.
For families with children in public early childhood schools in Madrid, the strike continues to affect daily life: many schools remain closed or with minimal services, forcing parents to seek alternative care in the middle of summer. The platform advises families to inquire at each centre about the status of the strike and available options.
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