Teacher Strikes Shut Schools in Brazil and Portugal

In Brazil, teachers at private schools in Belo Horizonte and surrounding areas voted to reject the employer's proposal to split the collective bargaining agreement into separate contracts for basic and higher education. They authorized the Sinpro Minas union to file a collective dispute, citing low salaries, excessive workloads, and a demand to keep a unified agreement.

In Portugal, more than 100 preschool and basic schools were closed or operated on reduced schedules as a nationwide strike by monodocência teachers unfolded. Demonstrators demanded better working conditions, a reduction of teaching hours to match other education levels, a lower retirement age, and additional staffing resources. The strike impacted schools primarily along the coast, including Lisbon and surrounding municipalities.