Mexico: Weekly Newsletter
We hereby share an unofficial translation of the Mexico part of the latest Weekly Newsletter published by Sol Rojo.
The democratic teachers united in the National Coordinator of Education Workers (CNTE) have given another lesson in dignity and resistance. After the old State used a “divide and conquer” strategy aimed at demobilizing the different sections with partial and insufficient offers, the regime celebrated to soon. The federal government delivered a document of responses to the National Unique Negotiation Commission (CNUN) of the CNTE, and subsequently, the federation and the states did the same with each contingent of the Coordinator to try to confuse the bases and demobilize them. Of course, the yellow unionists and government supporters within the movement tried to seize that moment with a flawed consultation, attempting to lift the sit-in and abandon the unitary tasks of the national strike.
This was particularly reflected within the Democratic Movement of Education Workers of Oaxaca (MDTEO), but the combative bases mobilized immediately and made their position clear, stating that… “The national strike of the CNTE is a democratic achievement that has taken a long time to build, not only to dismantle the educational counter-reform of EPN-AMLO or the ISSSTE Law of 2007; not only for our legitimate demand for a 100% salary increase or the cancellation of the private pensions in defense of our right to a dignified retirement. This national strike is particularly important because, in addition to allowing the massive and unified mobilization of other contingents of the CNTE, it has also exposed the true technocratic and bureaucratic face of the governments of the self-proclaimed ‘Fourth Transformation,’ particularly the government of Claudia Sheinbaum, who not only does not come from the democratic left but is also alien to the aspirations of the working people. Morena and its infiltrated operators within the movement want to impose ‘the peace of silence and demobilization.‘ Furthermore, the Oaxacan teachers proposed four points that contributed for the unity in the discussion of the State Assembly held yesterday: 1) Disregard the results and voices calling for retreat, 2) Maintain the national sit-in in Mexico City and initiate actions in Oaxaca to reinforce the struggle, 3) Reject the offer of tripartite tables that divide the teaching movement, and 4) Demand the immediate establishment of a central unique table with Sheinbaum.”
Hours later, the National Representative Assembly (ANR) thwarted the regime’s plans and those of its lackeys lurking within the movement. The sit-in in Mexico City and the national strike remain! It is also important to highlight that the comrades from the democratic Section XIV of Guerrero have set an example during this day of struggle, mobilizing with energy and unity, and helping to focus the struggle on two lines within the ANR of the CNTE. Today, the establishment of a central table of the CNTE with representatives from the federal government is expected, including the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Public Education, the Director of ISSSTE, among others.
Long live the national teachers’ strike! Long live the National Coordinator of Education Workers!
