Tensions between teachers from the National Coordinator of Education Workers (CNTE) and the government have reached a critical point. After a week of protests, including the blockade of Mexico City's main thoroughfares and the closure of access to the National Palace prior to President Claudia Sheinbaum's morning press conference, the teachers' union remains steadfast in demanding the repeal of the 2007 ISSSTE Law. Meanwhile, authorities have limited themselves to describing this reform implemented by Felipe Calderón as an "injustice." However, they maintain that there is insufficient funding to completely reverse it or implement a new pension system under the conditions demanded by the CNTE.

Why are the CNTE teachers protesting?

The teachers' union's main demand is the repeal of the 2007 ISSSTE Law, which replaced the solidarity pension system with one of individual accounts managed by Afores (Afores). According to workers, this provision negatively affects their pensions, as it requires them to be calculated from their individual savings funds. This amount also depends on the current UMA (Unit of Measurement and Update) and not the minimum wage, as they demand.

Another point limiting the negotiations is the demand to restore the possibility of retirement based on years of service, which was previously 28 for women and 30 for men. Under the current system, retirement is determined by age, but the age limit of 56 or 58 does not benefit those who joined ISSSTE after 2007. Additionally, a 100% salary increase is being demanded.

What has the government offered?

In her Teachers' Day message, Sheinbaum announced a 9% salary increase retroactive to January, with an additional 1% starting in September, representing an additional annual budget of 36 billion pesos. Likewise, an additional week of vacation will be added to the next school year, which now begins on September 1, 2025, for elementary school students.

The president also spoke about her campaign promise to eliminate the Unit of the System for the Career of Teachers (USICAMM). So far, it has not been decided how the functions of the administrative body that coordinates the Open and Transparent System for the Allocation of Teacher Positions will be replaced, but in the meantime, a decree will be signed to change the mobility process for teachers affected by these restrictions. “All work center changes will be carried out in person and by educational level to ensure transparency. Furthermore, the only element that will be taken into account is length of service, thereby recognizing the time and dedication of our teachers to public education in Mexico. This is an act of justice; those with the most years of service have the most rights,” Sheinbaum said.

A few weeks ago, when the controversial initiative to reform the ISSSTE Law was finally withdrawn, the government proposed reviving one of its key points: freezing the minimum retirement age for teachers—and other state employees—setting it at 56 for women and 58 for men.

How the Negotiations Are Going

So far, the CNTE teachers have met with officials from the Ministry of the Interior, Education, and the ISSSTE (National Institute of Statistics and Census), but the talks have not yielded satisfactory results. "They wanted to repeat the same thing they've already told us, and we said we didn't agree, that a different response was necessary," said Pedro Hernández, sector spokesperson for the Coordinator. However, it has been agreed that on Friday, May 23, they will be personally received by President Sheinbaum, who has remained faithful to her strategy of keeping a cool head. "We will not fall for any provocation. We will not repress, because we don't believe in that. We believe in dialogue, and we will find a way out," she said during her morning press conference.