Mexican teachers' union expects USICAMM system to be dissolved

Mexico's National Union of Education Workers (SNTE) is poised for a significant shift, anticipating the dissolution of the Unit for the System of Career for Teachers and Educational Personnel (USICAMM) during the upcoming ordinary session of Congress. SNTE's general secretary, Alfonso Cepeda Salas, celebrated the union's "achievements in favor of the teaching profession" secured through dialogue.

Cepeda Salas emphasized that the SNTE's ongoing engagement with the Federal Government and educational authorities has strengthened its representation and regained spaces for participation in decision-making processes that directly affect educators' professional lives. He specifically noted the recognition by Mexico City's Head of Government, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, of the SNTE's legitimacy and institutional hierarchy as the sole representative for education workers in collective labor relations.

A key objective for the SNTE is to help establish a new mechanism to replace USICAMM, addressing a long-standing demand from the teaching community. Cepeda Salas expressed confidence that the "nefarious USICAMM" will disappear in the next congressional session. He added that the federal government will initiate a national consultation in August to gather proposals from educators for a new model that is more transparent, equitable, and respectful of labor and professional rights.

The union also highlighted progress in areas such as permanent staffing (basificación), labor mobility, promotions, reclassifications, and the payment of benefits. SNTE anticipates that the consolidation of permanent staffing as a continuous policy, and the incorporation of personnel hired under temporary or contract appointments into regularization processes starting in January 2027, will provide greater certainty and stability for thousands of education workers. Furthermore, the union has recovered full rights to paid leave for health-related absences and established new provisions for maternal and paternal care leave.

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We have no doubt that, in the next ordinary session of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, the nefarious USICAMM will disappear.