The schools started the strike last year and have stopped for seventeen days. The last stoppages, which have been held for eight days, have taken place in January. The trade unions LAB, Steilas, Ela, CCOO and UGT, between 12 and 15 March, have reconvened the strike.

The trade unions are undecided about the possibility of reaching an agreement on this occasion, as the negotiations are blocked. According to the unions, the employers do not respond to the demands of the workers of the company. The Basque employers believe that the agreed funding of the Basque Government is not sufficient to improve the offers, although it is sufficient to improve the benefits. For its part, the Government considers that the conflict must be resolved between trade unions and employers. If no agreement is reached, the trade unions plan to convene new strike days for the first four days of April and 8 and 9 May. The call for a strike would affect the convening of 9,000 teachers and 100,000 students from 250 CAV centres.

Faced with this situation, the families of the students have shown their concern and have met with the Ararteko of the Basque Country, Manu Lezertua. Lezertua made his opinion public on Monday in a joint statement with the parents and asked for the minimum services required of each. Lezertua has also referred to the labour dispute, noting that employers and trade unions should contact the Department of Labour and Justice of the Basque Government or the CRL Council for Labour Relations to seek a solution. The trade unions have so far failed to take account of the Ararteko recommendation. See Zubizarreta, head of the ELA Education Union, warned Berria that they will not seek mediation. “What we want is for the Department of Education to become involved in resolving the conflict,” he said. Kristau Eskola, in compliance with what was agreed at a meeting a month ago, has remained silent and has not made any statements.