Background on the Coordinadora Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (CNTE)
The Coordinadora Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (CNTE) is a powerful teachers’ union in Mexico, representing educators primarily from the southern states of Guerrero and Oaxaca. The CNTE has a history of advocating for teachers’ rights, including better wages and working conditions. Their influence extends beyond their immediate regional base, as they often engage in nationwide protests to voice their demands.
Current Protests and Demands
Since May 15, teachers affiliated with the CNTE have staged demonstrations in Mexico City and various cities across the country. The protests aim to secure a 100% salary increase and reverse the 2007 reform of the ISSSTE (Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado). The teachers’ actions have disrupted daily activities, including blocking access to the Aeropuerto Internacional de la Ciudad de México and preventing journalists from attending the president’s morning press conferences.
Impact on Education
As a result of the ongoing strike, 19,462 public basic education schools out of a total of 202,184 have remained closed. This has affected the learning environment for thousands of students and placed additional strain on an already challenged education system.
Government Response
In response to the protests, the Secretaría de Educación Pública (SEP) and the Secretaría de Gobernación (Segob) issued a joint statement, expressing their willingness to engage in dialogue with the CNTE. They emphasized the need to construct agreements and highlighted previous concessions, such as a 9% retroactive salary increase effective January 2023 and an additional week of vacation for teachers. Furthermore, they mentioned a debt relief program for over 24,000 teachers, amounting to more than 19 million pesos.
Call for Dialogue
Despite these offers, the government noted that under current conditions, they would proceed with a planned meeting between SEP and Segob representatives instead of involving the president. This decision came after CNTE members blocked access to the presidential press conference and displayed hostile behavior towards journalists.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is the CNTE? The Coordinadora Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (CNTE) is a teachers’ union representing educators primarily from the southern states of Guerrero and Oaxaca.
- What are the CNTE’s demands? The CNTE is seeking a 100% salary increase and the reversal of the 2007 ISSSTE reform.
- How have the protests affected education? Due to the ongoing strike, 19,462 public basic education schools have remained closed, impacting thousands of students.
- What concessions have been made by the government? The government has offered a 9% retroactive salary increase effective January 2023, an additional week of vacation for teachers, and a debt relief program amounting to more than 19 million pesos for over 24,000 teachers.
- How has the government responded to the protests? The Secretaría de Educación Pública (SEP) and the Secretaría de Gobernación (Segob) have expressed their willingness to engage in dialogue with the CNTE, while also planning a meeting between SEP and Segob representatives due to the current hostile conditions.
