### Teachers Protest During Governor’s Morning Briefing
During a weekly press conference held by the governor at the Tijuana State Center for the Arts (CEART), a group of teachers from the National Coordinator of Education Workers (CNTE) gathered outside the Miguel Ángel León Portilla building to demand the full payment of their salaries, among other issues.
“Our commitment is to continue fighting for the rights that have been taken from us and to ensure we are respected as education workers. If anyone has a heart, it’s those teachers who are working without pay,” declared the protest leaders through megaphones.
Inside the building, discussions centered around the Tourist Fair and Corridor 2000, until the demonstrators’ demands prompted the government’s general secretary, Alfredo Álvarez Cárdenas, to meet with the protesters to seek resolutions.
The teachers’ protest arose from a lack of response in working meetings regarding outstanding payments to interim educators, now on strike for 20 days. They emphasized the continuation of their sit-in at the Institute of Educational and Pedagogical Services (ISEP) in Zone Río until guaranteed payment.
Teacher representatives noted that around 60 schools have been impacted due to non-payment of 57 educators, with unpaid salaries dating from August to December. The cumulative debt ranges into approximately 10 million pesos, affecting 107 teachers.
Subsequent dialogue between the CNTE’s section D140 secretary, Erick Díaz Preciado, and the government secretary concluded with an agreement to address the issue on Friday, March 27. Following this accord, the group departed as police secured the building’s entrance. The government’s intervention was initiated by the governor to release a payroll for interim teachers on the next Friday and address more complex issues regarding past payroll agreements involving union officers.
The teachers reassembled at Morelos Park, where Díaz Preciado reaffirmed their expectation of payment post-3 p.m. the following day. Furthermore, they were scheduled for another meeting on March 28 with relevant authorities to address delayed payments dating back to 2022. The representatives stressed the urgency of resolving these debts so that they could return to teaching, underscoring their motto: “Work done must be paid.”
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### Secondary Article: Teacher Strikes Gaining Momentum Across Regions
The protest by the CNTE educators in Baja California is part of a larger movement that is gaining momentum across different states in Mexico. Teachers from various regions have been mobilizing to demand prompt payment of their salaries and a clearer resolution on employment conditions that have remained pending for years.
In recent weeks, protests have erupted in major cities such as Mexico City and Guadalajara, with teachers staging sit-ins outside government offices to draw attention to their plight. The escalating demonstrations indicate a growing frustration among education professionals over what they perceive as negligence and mismanagement by state and federal authorities in addressing their employment issues.
Educators argue that delayed salaries have severely impacted their livelihoods, with many struggling to manage everyday expenses and related living costs. As such, the protests underscore a critical need for systemic reform in the educational administration to ensure timely and fair remuneration.
The nationwide movement is drawing support from various labor unions and civil society organizations who view the educators’ struggle as emblematic of broader labor rights issues within the country. The teachers’ collective actions and appeals are putting increased pressure on government officials to address their grievances promptly to avoid further disruptions in the academic calendar.
As these demonstrations continue to unfold, the educators’ call for justice and equitable treatment remains resonant, shedding light on the essential role of teachers and the importance of supporting those who dedicate their careers to nurturing future generations.