Mexico Teachers' Strike Continues After 13 Days, Pension Demands Unmet

Teachers affiliated with the National Union of Education Workers (CNTE) are maintaining their indefinite strike in Mexico City's historic center, marking 13 days of protest. The union members remain encamped, awaiting a crucial resolution from their National Representative Assembly. This assembly will determine the next steps for the union: whether to continue the widespread actions or to return to their respective states. The strike has involved significant disruptions, including blockades of major streets in the capital, concentrations in key areas like Paseo de la Reforma and Bucareli, and public declarations of intent to persist until a meeting with the head of government is secured. Central to the CNTE's demands is the abrogation of the 2007 ISSSTE Law, which they argue privatizes retirement and pension systems. They advocate for a return to a solidarity-based pension model, emphasizing retirement based on years of service (28 for women, 30 for men), a 100% increase in base salary, the harmonization of benefits, and the elimination of individual account systems and pensions calculated in UMAS (units of measurement and updating). Despite ongoing dialogue with government officials, including representatives from the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Public Education, and the ISSSTE, the teachers claim their core demands are not being adequately addressed. They cite insufficient budget as the recurring excuse, and note the cancellation of a scheduled meeting on June 12th without a rescheduled date, further fueling their frustration.