Particle.news
Download on the App Store

University Funding Clashes Deepen in Mexico and Madrid as Strikes Near

Madrid cites a 6.5% budget increase plus oversight tied to a loan for UCM.

Overview

  • Mexico’s CONTU says real wages have eroded and is proposing a national strike across 34 autonomous public universities, pressing for raises above a 4% cap and improved salary-linked benefits.
  • Union leaders in Mérida report a structural shortfall of roughly 2 million student places and say about 52,000 of 300,000 university workers earn the minimum wage.
  • In Madrid, the 26 deans of the Complutense read a manifesto at Puerta del Sol asserting the current financing model is insufficient and warning of risks to teaching, research and infrastructure.
  • The regional government counters that universities are “perfectly financed,” pointing to €1,239.7 million for 2026, a 6.5% rise, while attributing some protests to ideology and faulting UCM for over-hiring.
  • Officials confirm a loan to UCM under favorable terms with financial oversight, note UCM has submitted an initial draft recovery plan, and sector strikes are called for November 26–27.