### Primary Article: CNTE Teachers Release Tijuana-Tecate Toll Booth Due to Unpaid Wages
On Tuesday, August 20, 2024, approximately 150 teachers from the National Coordinator of Education Workers (CNTE) staged a caravan from Parque Morelos in Tijuana to the Tijuana-Tecate toll booth. The teachers freed the toll booth, allowing motorists to pass without paying, as a protest against unpaid wages by the State Government.
“We are protesting because since we began the strike on July 15th, CNTE teachers have received no favorable response. We see an Education Secretary with the willingness to resolve the issues, but no tangible progress has been made. It seems there are obstacles. We take this opportunity to demand that the Finance Secretary and the Governor give the Education Secretary the resources needed for the education system,” said Marco Antonio Pacheco Peña, State Coordinator of CNTE in Baja California.
Teachers explained they are owed the salary increase approved on May 15, which has yet to be disbursed, and back pay for 3,000 interim teachers dating back to 2021, with more arrears accumulating through 2022, 2023, and 2024.
“Interim teachers, numbering over three thousand across the state, have not received a cent since 2021. We demand that the Governor and Finance Secretary allocate resources so that the Education Secretary can pay these overdue salaries in a timely manner,” stated the leader.
Teachers like Jesús Fernando Moreno, who has 16 years of service in the Education System with 12 years as a regular teacher and stints as an interim, revealed that he has perpetually faced salary delays. Moreno recounted having to find ways to cover his living expenses during periods without pay.
“One looks for ways, whether through savings or community funding, to cover basic expenses like electricity, gasoline, and support for my son. I have 16 years of service and have always dealt with delayed salaries. I feel we are the only group that works for months or even years without receiving pay,” Moreno added, noting that he has been without payment for 10 months.
Another teacher, José Luis Galva, an interim teacher at Carmen Serdán Primary School with a 20-year career, disclosed that he has not received salary since April this year, totals owed amount to 50,000 pesos.
“The government needs to exercise some common sense; everyone works for a salary. My interim period at Carmen Serdán began on April 15, and we have received no payment or government response since then. Many colleagues from the same school and district are in the same position,” he shared.
The CNTE coordinator noted that the toll-free passage at the Tijuana-Tecate toll booth would continue until 3:00 PM on Tuesday, August 20.
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### Secondary Article: Nationwide Protests Over Unpaid Teacher Salaries
Teachers across various states have joined forces to voice their grievances over unpaid salaries, culminating in numerous protests in different regions. On August 20, similar gatherings were reported in Mexico City and other major cities, where teachers rallied to demand payment of overdue wages and better working conditions.
In Mexico City, thousands of teachers marched to the Ministry of Finance, urging authorities to expedite the release of funds to cover salary arrears for interim teachers and permanent staff alike. The march saw significant participation from various teacher unions and education advocates, underscoring the widespread nature of the issue.
Contextualizing the events unfolding in Baja California, federal education authorities have acknowledged the delays in payment and cited bureaucratic challenges as the main impediment. They assured that measures are being taken to address and rectify the situation promptly.
These protests highlight a deeper systemic issue within the education sector, and teachers remain steadfast in their resolve to secure fair remuneration for their services, vowing to continue their movements until their demands are met.
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