The National Coordinator of Education Workers (CNTE) caused chaos at Mexico City International Airport (AICM) this Friday, May 23, after blocking various access points to the airport.
Hundreds of people were affected by the demonstration, and flights had to be suspended for nearly 20 minutes after travelers were unable to access the airport.
However, the demonstrations in Mexico City were not the only ones taking place. Teachers, with support from social organizations, held protests in various parts of the country to make their demands visible.
In which other states did the CNTE protest?
In Oaxaca, social organizations marched this Friday in support of the teachers of Section 22 who are in Mexico City. The group marched from the Fuente de las 8 Regiónes to the Zócalo in Oaxaca City.
During their march, they shouted slogans at the state and republican governments regarding the repeal of the 2007 ISSSTE Law and education reform.
Some members painted graffiti on the main streets of Oaxaca City.
Coordinator blocked streets in Chilpancingo, Guerrero
As part of the national teacher mobilization, teachers from the Guerrero State Coordinator of Education Workers (CETEG) blocked the main streets and avenues of Chilpancingo, causing a disruption in ordinary activities for residents of the capital.
The teachers blocked vehicular traffic on the Acapulco-Pinotepa Nacional federal highway, near Ometepec, to demand the repeal of the ISSSTE Law, a change in retirement age, and a 100 percent increase in base salaries. They left after five hours of protest.
On the afternoon of May 22, teachers seized three private passenger buses, arguing that they needed to travel to Mexico City to participate in the sit-in in the center of the country called by the CNTE.
As part of their activities in the capital of Guerrero, dissident teachers took over public buildings, primarily offices of the Guerrero Ministry of Education.
CNTE in Sonora sets its sights on Hermosillo Airport
While hundreds of students are unable to attend classes due to the national strike called by the CNTE, teachers in Sonora threatened to blockade the Hermosillo Airport.
Parents accused a minority of seeking personal gain at the expense of the learning of thousands of students, as the vast majority of teachers want to return to the classrooms.
“You can’t call what is clearly a form of sabotage against education and all citizens a struggle (…) Enough of blackmail disguised as social struggle,” they criticized.
Teachers Attempt to Strike in Michoacán
CNTE activities in Michoacán reported decreased teacher participation. Their ability to rally registered a notable decline in the state’s 113 municipalities.
Teacher leaders urged teachers to hold a strike this week, but the response was negative. And as part of a national union strike, classes were not interrupted in Michoacán, the State Education Secretariat reported.
Michoacán’s teachers’ unions are experiencing their greatest crisis in the last three decades. The years when thousands of education workers marched or gathered for rallies in Morelia’s historic center are no longer a thing.
Furthermore, the SEE (Spanish Ministry of Education) reported that Michoacán’s schools are maintaining normal activities, with more than 900,000 elementary school students participating in their classes and educational programs.
Durango Joins the CNTE National Strike
Durango also joined in full support of the CNTE national strike and marched down Durango’s main avenue to demonstrate in the Plaza de Armas, in front of the Minor Basilica Cathedral, also blocking the avenue.
Among their slogans were demands for retirement at 28 for women and 30 for men; the return to the Solidarity Social Security System; and the payment of pensions in minimum wages, not in UMAS (Uninstitutional Unions).
They also expressed their total rejection of AFORES (National Pension Funds) and individual accounts, as well as the increase in health care premiums based on the integrated salary; they demanded their right to decent and timely health care.
Furthermore, the dozens of participating teachers expressed the urgency of renewing infrastructure and equipment, building decent housing, and providing affordable loans, making it clear that they will not give up until the complete repeal of the 2007 reform to the ISSSTE law.
Source: elfinanciero
