CUT Requests Meeting with Senate President Following Expulsion of Early Education Leaders During Universal Nursery Project Debate

Original article: CUT pide reunión a presidenta del Senado tras expulsión de dirigentas de la educación inicial durante discusión de proyecto de Sala Cuna Universal

The Unitary Central of Workers and Workers of Chile (CUT), representing leaders from the early education sector, has formally requested a meeting with Senate President Paulina Núñez after early education representatives were expelled from the chamber during discussions on the Universal Nursery Project.

The expulsions occurred following a series of provocations by ruling party legislators, as stated by the organizations involved. Subsequently, Senator Rojo Edwards labeled the workers as «unhinged» and «disturbed.»

«As central, we have requested a meeting with the Senate President to address the behavior of the parliamentarians,» asserted Karen Palma, Vice President of Women and Gender Equity at CUT.

«We are not violent, we are not unbalanced; we have the legitimate right to represent the ideas of workers, and we will continue to do so,» added the leader.

In Front of La Moneda

Regarding the demonstration called in front of La Moneda, Palma emphasized its broad representation, gathering public and private sector workers, «those most affected» by the Universal Nursery Project: «It is a clear response to the veto we have faced in Parliament, to the mistreatment.»

«We were not heard regarding the content. The CUT has been emphatic in stating that we will not accept financing a need like nursery care through unemployment insurance. We will not accept co-payment in education again nor allow the quality of education for the children of workers to be called into question,» stated Karen Palma.

Additionally, Silvia Silva, Vice President of Management and Finance at the CUT and President of Ajunji, expressed that «union leaders have been elected by democratic vote of workers to represent them. What the right and far-right aim to do is silence the working class.»

«From the entire early education sector, we want to tell Rojo Edwards that early childhood educators in Chile place the highest value on this society, which is to educate, care for, and provide comprehensive education to children while their families work, especially mothers,» Silva stated, responding to the far-right legislator.

Ultimately, the CUT stated that the Government «prioritizes the interests of those seeking to privatize early education over the rights of workers,» reaffirming their commitment to «defend, fearlessly and firmly, a public and quality early education for all children in Chile.»

We will continue to provide updates.