On October 14, 2026, teachers in Madrid began an indefinite strike by establishing an overnight encampment at the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM). The action was taken to demand improved resources and better working conditions. Various university platforms expressed support for the move, and the encampment quickly became a focal point for the growing labor action. The presence of the camp on campus signaled the start of a protest that would soon draw a response from law enforcement.
The same day, police moved to disperse the encampment. According to reports, officers carried out a charge that was described by a student union representative as "una carga salvaje" that provoked "varios heridos y detenidos." The confrontation resulted in injuries on both sides: at least two police officers suffered mild injuries caused by protesters, while several demonstrators were also hurt. The clashes also produced traffic disruptions on the Castellana avenue, adding a public‑order dimension to the dispute.
The strikers’ demands go beyond the immediate clash. They are calling for a reduction in school hours, an improvement in teacher‑student ratios, and an increase in salaries. These requests are framed as part of a broader push against educational segregation and bureaucratic inefficiencies within the Madrid public‑education system. The strike is presented as indefinite, meaning it has no predetermined end date and will continue until the authorities meet the stated demands.
The detentions were carried out by the Policía Nacional following the clashes.
Following the clashes, the Policía Nacional detained five individuals. Those detained are accused of committing a crime against an authority figure, a charge that reflects the allegation that they resisted or assaulted police officers during the dispersal effort. At least two police officers suffered mild injuries, which authorities attribute to the actions of the protesters. The detentions were carried out by the Policía Nacional following the clashes.
Support for the strike extends beyond the university setting. Sindicatos such as CC.OO. have organized pickets in primary and secondary schools across the Madrid region, indicating that the action is not limited to higher education. Various education‑sector platforms and unions have denounced the police response as "salvaje e indiscriminado," arguing that the force used was excessive. The strike is thus situated within a wider wave of criticism aimed at the regional government’s handling of public education, with teachers and their representatives labeling the administration’s stance as critical.
The strike is expected to continue with additional strike days planned for November 4 and 5, 2026. Organizations involved have called for a 70 percent turnout among educators to demonstrate the strength of the movement. The situation reflects a tense standoff between educators seeking reform and authorities maintaining public order.