This march, which began on Sunday in Gasteiz, will have its fourth stage concluding in Azpeitia. From there, they will continue towards Donostia via Urola Kosta, and after passing through Ordizia and Arrasate, they will return to Gasteiz on Sunday. This protest has united approximately 4,545 retired teachers from across Euskal Herria.
Adostuz has reported that since 2012, they have not received the compensation stipulated in the collective agreement for early retirement. They state that the Basque Government, using the Budget Law, intends to invalidate a part of the agreement. "As it is suspended, they don't want to pay us," they declared, despite the fact that it has been agreed twice in the Basque Parliament that they would be compensated.
Furthermore, they have added that through this law, the Government has found a way to nullify collective bargaining, which they believe creates uncertainty for negotiations and the work of unions. According to Adostuz, the Budget Law cannot be used to cancel a collective agreement, as they consider it to be "mocking" collective bargaining.
They have also recalled that in other sectors, compensation is paid to encourage early retirements, as these cause economic damage. "Indemnities are to compensate for the economic damage caused by leaving the job," they stated. They also denounce that the Basque Government seeks a "silent restructuring," having had the opportunity to save money and renew the workforce through early retirements, which has led to a reduction in the number of classrooms and the merging of schools, while strengthening subsidized schools.
