Background on the Coordinadora Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (CNTE)
The Coordinadora Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (CNTE) is a prominent organization representing dissident teachers in Mexico. The group has been actively advocating for educational reforms and teachers’ rights since the early days of Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s administration. The CNTE’s current demands revolve around the repeal of the 2007 ISSSTE law, the annulment of the Peña-AMLO educational reform, a 100% salary increase, and direct negotiations with Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum.
CNTE’s Main Demands
- Repeal of the 2007 ISSSTE Law: The CNTE has been requesting the repeal of this law for seven years, as it allegedly eliminates teachers’ right to a dignified retirement by shifting them to individual accounts.
- Annulment of the Peña-AMLO Educational Reform: The CNTE seeks to reverse this controversial reform implemented during the previous administration.
- 100% Salary Increase: Teachers demand a significant salary boost to address their financial struggles.
- Direct Negotiations with President Claudia Sheinbaum: The CNTE insists on engaging directly with the president to discuss their demands.
Government’s Response and Criticism
The federal government, led by President Claudia Sheinbaum, has been accused by the CNTE of continuing neoliberal economic policies under a progressive facade. The government’s responses to the CNTE’s demands have been deemed “insufficient and null” by the teachers’ organization.
Regarding the ISSSTE law repeal, the government previously cited a lack of congressional majority and now claims insufficient funds. The CNTE argues that around 80% of teachers are under individual accounts, effectively denying them a dignified retirement.
Additionally, the CNTE criticizes the government’s proposed “collective interdisciplinary” mechanism, stating it does not aim to eliminate individual accounts. They also denounce that unilateral modifications to the teachers’ labor system fail to restore previous rights and claim that returning to the Décimo Transitorio would only benefit a minority of teachers.
Violent Protests
During a meeting between the CNTE and federal authorities at SEGOB, a group of hooded individuals attempted to forcefully enter the building and threw objects at it. Security personnel responded with tear gas to disperse the crowd.
The CNTE distanced itself from the hooded individuals and claimed they were not part of their movement. Some teachers attempted to calm the disturbances. In response, both SEGOB and SEP condemned the violent acts and reaffirmed their commitment to peaceful dialogue.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the CNTE? The Coordinadora Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (CNTE) is a significant organization representing dissident teachers in Mexico, advocating for educational reforms and teachers’ rights.
- What are the CNTE’s main demands? The CNTE seeks the repeal of the 2007 ISSSTE law, annulment of the Peña-AMLO educational reform, a 100% salary increase, and direct negotiations with President Claudia Sheinbaum.
- Why does the CNTE oppose the 2007 ISSSTE law? The CNTE argues that this law shifts teachers to individual accounts, effectively denying them a dignified retirement.
- What is the government’s response to CNTE’s demands? The federal government, led by President Claudia Sheinbaum, has been accused of continuing neoliberal economic policies and providing insufficient responses to the CNTE’s demands.
- What happened during a recent meeting between the CNTE and federal authorities? A group of hooded individuals attempted to forcefully enter SEGOB’s building and threw objects at it. Security personnel used tear gas to disperse the crowd.
