Teachers union still waiting for support from López Obrador

MEXICO CITY (EFE).— Mexican teachers marched yesterday in the country’s capital to demand “will” from President Andrés Manuel López Obrador with the aim of approving labor improvements, a union leader said in statements to EFE.

“(The president) has listened to us, but he has told us that, due to the government closure, there are some things that he would not be able to attend to,” acknowledged Pedro Hernández, leader of the National Coordinator of Education Workers (CNTE), to the feet of the Angel of Independence, on Paseo de la Reforma avenue.

Even so, the representative of section IX added that, “if there is the political will,” issues such as the salary increase for teachers can be addressed before the end of his term, next October.

“The situation that brings us right now is a salary increase, a reform that really gives colleagues job certainty,” added special education teacher Selene Méndez.

Precisely, a delegation met yesterday with López Obrador to continue negotiating the improvements, which were summarized in 12 requests that, at the beginning of April, were delivered to him.

Among others, they demand “absolute respect” for the organization, as well as the repeal of the 2019 educational reform or the “comprehensive reparation of the damages caused by crimes against humanity” towards the 43 students who disappeared in 2014 in Ayotzinapa, Guerrero.

In the economic area, the CNTE demands the federalization of the teachers’ payroll, which would have to increase by 100% from the base salary, or the reinstatement of personnel who were dismissed in the past, as a result of the legislative reforms.

“We expect positive responses to these demands,” Hernández remarked.

The last meeting between the government and the education union was held on April 10, when both parties agreed to create a working group to analyze how to reinstate dismissed teachers, address state problems and, as regards salary demands, “wait the president’s response at the meeting” that was held yesterday, Monday.

The leader warned that, if there is no progress in the talks, the National Congress of the CNTE on April 26 could consider the “extreme measure” of calling a general strike.

The relationship between the educational sector and the López Obrador government has fluctuated throughout the six-year term.

Initially, this area was considered a priority, but in December 2020 the sectoral table was frozen.

“We still do not have the information why (the president) cut us off from the conversation.”