Cancún Teachers Protest Without Halting Classes

Cancún, QRoo — Members of the National Coordinator of Education Workers (CNTE) in Cancún have joined a national teachers' protest; however, their participation was limited to the placement of flags outside some schools and the wearing of red clothing.

"Here in Benito Juárez, we on the committee first asked the membership, first in an in-person meeting, then through a survey to confirm with those who could not attend the meeting, and the majority of the membership voted for solidarity actions, but not for a work stoppage," said Leticia María Cauich Can, spokesperson for the Benito Juárez Struggle Committee.

She pointed out that this decision was largely because they are currently in the midst of exam days, as well as preparations for the November 20th parade. Nevertheless, banners, solidarity posters, flags, and protest attire in red and black were displayed. The national protest was called for Thursday, November 13, and Friday, November 14.

"For the moment, these are the actions that were taken; the committee represents the membership, which is why they are consulted, because we do not make the decisions. Instead, we conduct the consultations, and the membership considered that no, the conditions are not right, especially with the application of exams, as well as the rehearsals for the November 20th festivities, so there are several situations that were weighed," she stated.

"This is a show of solidarity, because in reality, the strike is not being carried out as it should be. Classes continued, there are normal classes… we continue fighting, we continue demonstrating at the national level in the face of the government's obstinacy, and we reject the lack of willingness and availability from the president," she insisted.

Unfortunately, she said, the federal government is employing double-speak, because a video from the Ministry of the Interior is circulating on social media in which its head states that the teaching profession has been heard and that dialogue tables with the teachers remain open, which they indicated is a lie.

The main demand of the teachers remains focused against the ISSSTE Law, as they seek to improve retirement conditions for workers, as well as resolve the specific demands of their union.