**Salary Increase for Baja California Teachers Was Not Budgeted: SE**
Baja California’s government is awaiting an extraordinary federal resource allocation to pay the promised 11% salary increase and its retroactive component to state teachers before the school year begins. Luis Gilberto Gallego Cortez, head of the State Secretariat of Education, reported this during a press conference.
The salary hike was announced by Mexico’s President Andrés Manuel López Obrador on May 15. However, the state government had only budgeted for an increase of around 5%. Gallego Cortez noted that the salary increase for the 18,600 state teachers amounts to approximately 1.6 billion pesos annually, a figure not accounted for in their budget.
“We will pay, although we do not have a specific date because the federal government has not resolved the release of the funds, which total 1.6 billion pesos,” Gallego Cortez explained during Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda’s weekly conference.
The state teachers’ union has warned that classes will not commence for the 2024-2025 school year unless the salary increase, the retroactive pay, and overdue payments to interim teachers are reflected in their paychecks.
Gallego Cortez mentioned that the state might receive the necessary funds around August 26, the scheduled start date for classes per the academic calendar. “Once the funds are received, the budget will be automatically expanded, the Congress will be notified, and the resources will begin to be dispersed,” he added.
On August 15, the state government is set to pay delayed bonuses and vacation premiums, as previously agreed with teachers’ unions. “Outstanding debts to the teachers will be paid monthly until fully settled,” Gallego Cortez noted, affirming the government’s recognition of the teachers’ efforts and the existing debt.
Additionally, delayed salaries for interim teachers from 2022 to 2023, which amount to approximately 36 million pesos, have yet to be addressed by the Educational Payroll Contribution Fund (FONE). On Thursday, a part of this delay will be settled with a 20 million pesos contribution, with further partial payments expected over the coming months.
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**Secondary Article: Additional Updates on Educational Salary Increases in Baja California**
Further developments highlight ongoing negotiations between state governments and teachers’ unions about salary increases and financial settlements.
1. **Teachers Strike at Cecytes Continues**: Teachers at Cecytes remain on strike, seeking a resolution before the school year begins. They demand immediate action on salary increases and retroactive payments.
2. **SETBC Warns of No Classes Without Raise**: The State of Baja California Teachers’ Union (SETBC) has issued a stern warning that if the salary increase is not enacted promptly, classes for the new academic year will not commence.
3. **Government to Settle Debts by August 15**: The state government has planned to clear 198 million pesos in debts to teachers by August 15, addressing long-standing financial grievances.
4. **More Teachers’ Salaries Delayed**: Amidst the ongoing negotiations, several teachers report continued delays in salary disbursements, adding to the urgency of finding a timely resolution.
5. **Federal and State Coordination**: Both federal and state authorities are working on an expedited coordination plan to ensure the required funds are distributed before the school year starts.
Stay tuned to TJGringo.com for more updates on this ongoing issue affecting Baja California’s educational sector.