CNTE makes ISSSTE law repeal condition to end protests

Mexico's National Union of Education Workers (CNTE) will not end its protests and blockades until President Claudia Sheinbaum repeals the 2007 ISSSTE law, or until the union's rank-and-file members decide to disband due to exhaustion or illness. Isael González Vázquez, secretary of CNTE's Chiapas section 7, stated this outside the Metlife afore offices on Paseo de la Reforma in Mexico City.

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It is their desire, but our desire is that the two reforms be repealed. Yes, we have to recognize that the protest, the strike, the marches cause economic, physical, health wear and tear, several of our colleagues already have health issues, economically, from our bi-weekly payments… but it is until the base tells us, not when the Ministry of the Interior says so or conditions us.

González Vázquez acknowledged the significant physical and economic strain the 18-day national strike has imposed on union members. "Our health is suffering, and economically, our bi-weekly payments are affected... but we will only leave when the base tells us to, not when the Ministry of the Interior dictates or sets conditions," he asserted.

The union rejects the federal government's proposal to transfer their retirement funds to PensionISSSTE. González Vázquez criticized the government for prolonging the issue, stating that the education reform, which could be repealed immediately without budget implications, has not been addressed. He accused the government of using a school-by-school consultation as a delaying tactic.

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The education reform that can be repealed immediately, that does not require a budget, they don't do it either, they propose a school-by-school consultation, and we say that is dilatory, how long will it take them to consult, they shouldn't play with us, not to say another word, really, but they shouldn't see us as naive.

The CNTE's primary demands include allowing female teachers to retire after 28 years of service and male teachers after 30 years, canceling individual contributions, and reinstating a solidarity pension system. "If they want us to leave, they should resolve the demands. It's very simple," González Vázquez said, emphasizing their desire for a dignified retirement, a system they previously had.

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If they want us to leave, they should resolve the demands, it is very simple and if the biggest demand cannot be resolved, at least they should look for a way. If we want to return to retire with dignity, that is what we expect, we already had it, we are not even asking for something that did not exist.