Background on CNTE and its Relevance
The Coordinadora Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (CNTE) is a prominent union representing teachers in Mexico. With a strong presence and influence, the CNTE has been instrumental in advocating for educators’ rights and addressing concerns related to education policies. The union’s recent stance against the reduction in the minimum retirement age highlights its commitment to addressing historical demands of the teaching profession.
CNTE’s Rejection of Retirement Age Reduction
Context: The Mexican government proposed reducing the minimum retirement age for workers under the tenth transitional regime of the Institute of Social Security and Services of State Workers (ISSSTE). This change aims to save the government an estimated 36,000 million pesos during the current six-year administration.
CNTE’s Position: In response to this proposal, the CNTE section XXII strongly rejected the reduction in minimum retirement age. They argue that this change only provides a temporary solution (“paliativo”) to the historical demands of educators and does not address the core issues. Moreover, it excludes 70% of state workers who remain in individual account regimes (Afores).
Gradual Implementation: The CNTE points out that the retirement age reduction applies only to those incorporated into the tenth transitional regime of ISSSTE. The change will be implemented gradually, becoming fully effective by 2034, meaning it is neither universal nor immediate. Furthermore, the CNTE insists that this measure does not provide a structural response to their demands.
CNTE’s Additional Demands
Beyond rejecting the retirement age reduction, the CNTE continues to demand the revocation of the 2007 reform to the ISSSTE law. This reform established individual account regimes (Afores) for state workers, which the CNTE seeks to reverse. Additionally, they demand the complete abrogation of Enrique Peña Nieto’s educational reform.
Fear of Other Unions Demanding Similar Changes
Concern: Following the signing of the decree to lower the retirement age for ISSSTE’s tenth transitional regime workers, there is apprehension that other public and private unions may demand similar changes. Such actions could lead to significant fiscal costs.
Retirement Age Comparison: The proposed reduction in retirement age would allow ISSSTE’s tenth transitional regime workers to retire at 53 for women and 55 for men, starting in 20234. In contrast, workers with Afore can retire up to age 65 or between 60 and 64 with a severance pension. Workers under the Ley 73 regime and IMSS must also reach age 65 for retirement, receiving a smaller percentage of their salary if they opt for severance pensions between ages 60 and 64.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the CNTE? The Coordinadora Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (CNTE) is a significant union in Mexico representing teachers and advocating for their rights.
- Why is the CNTE rejecting the retirement age reduction? The CNTE argues that this change only provides a temporary solution to historical demands and does not address core issues. It also excludes 70% of state workers in individual account regimes (Afores).
- What are the CNTE’s additional demands? The CNTE seeks to revoke the 2007 ISSSTE law reform establishing individual account regimes (Afores) for state workers and demands the complete abrogation of Enrique Peña Nieto’s educational reform.
- Why is there concern about other unions demanding similar changes? Lowering the retirement age could lead to significant fiscal costs if other public and private unions follow suit, demanding similar changes.
- How do the new retirement ages compare across different worker groups? Under the proposed changes, ISSSTE’s tenth transitional regime workers could retire at 53 (women) and 55 (men), while Afore and Ley 73 workers can retire at 65 or between 60 and 64 with a severance pension. Ley 73 workers receiving IMSS benefits must also reach age 65, with reduced salary percentages for severance pensions between ages 60 and 64.
