**Teachers Protest Against Upcoming ISSSTECALI Reform**
In Tijuana, a group of teachers took to the streets this Thursday morning, expressing their discontent with an upcoming reform to the Institute of Security and Social Services for Municipal and State Workers of Baja California (ISSSTECALI). Despite the union’s advice to wait, teachers decided to march, with concerns centered around potential changes that could adversely affect them.
The protestors, who gathered at 8:00 AM, moved from the Monument to the Free Textbook in Boulevard Agua Caliente to the Cuauhtémoc roundabout in Zona Río, arriving at approximately 10:30 AM. This event involved members from the National Union of Education Workers Section 37, the Independent State Education Workers of Baja California (SIETEBC), and other local unions.
Marta Alicia Pérez, a primary school teacher, voiced the sentiment of many by stating, “The governor suggested postponing any action until January, but our concern is that we want to ensure these changes don’t happen at all.” Pérez, alongside her colleagues, fears the proposed reform might lead to the loss of dynamic pensions, increased service years, pension payments based on UMA (Units of Measure and Update), and higher contribution rates.
Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda has commented that the discussions with bureaucrats and educators are officially slated to begin in January 2025, though protestors suspect informal meetings have already occurred.
Despite a willingness to consider increased bi-weekly contributions, teachers are clear that these changes should reflect an enhancement in ISSSTECALI services, rather than be detrimental to their retirement benefits. Meanwhile, the governor argues there’s misinformation regarding the reform, expressing hope for its approval by the state congress in early 2025.
**ISSSTECALI Reform Debate Intensifies: Summary of Recent Developments**
With the growing protests in Tijuana, the dialogue around the ISSSTECALI reforms is gaining national attention. Recently, the state’s retention of certain federal allocations to address late principal fund payments has sparked additional controversy. The funds, amounting to 14 million pesos, have been redirected to cover ISSSTECALI-related shortfalls, intensifying concerns about the institute’s financial health.
In parallel conversations, the state’s education and health sectors highlight other pressing issues. Baja California remains the Mexican state with the highest tuberculosis infection rates, registering around 2,000 new cases annually and reporting 300 related deaths per year. This has diverted some media focus towards broader health infrastructure concerns that run alongside those impacting education and pension reforms.
The educational community and broader public await further clarifications on these proposed changes and how they may address or exacerbate existing fiscal challenges within the social services institution. As the clock ticks towards 2025, teachers and government officials continue to clash over the inevitable policy shifts that are set to reshape their professional landscape.