**Teachers Protest During Governor’s Morning Conference**
During the morning conference at the State Center for the Arts in Tijuana, a group of teachers from the National Coordinator of Education Workers gathered outside the building to demand full payment of their salaries, among other concerns.
“Today, the educators of Baja California commit to continue fighting daily to reclaim our stolen rights and to ensure we are respected as education service workers. Those truly leading with their hearts are the teachers who are working without pay,” the protest leaders announced via loudspeakers.
Inside the building, discussions on topics like the Tourism Fair and Corredor 2000 were underway until the demands of the protesters prompted Alfredo Álvarez Cárdenas, the Secretary-General of the Government, to come out and engage with them, aiming to reach an agreement.
The teachers expressed frustration over the lack of effective outcomes from previous meetings with authorities regarding overdue payments to interim teachers. Around 20 days into their strike, they emphasized they would not end their sit-in at the Institute of Educational and Pedagogical Services in Zona Río until payment guarantees are provided.
According to union representatives, around 60 schools have been affected, with 57 teachers unpaid since August and through the following months, accumulating a total debt of around 10 million pesos affecting 107 teachers.
Discussions between Erick Díaz Preciado, the Secretary General of Section D140 of the teachers’ union, and the Secretary of Government resulted in a plan to review the issue on Friday, March 27. Following this announcement, the protesters left while police secured the building entrance.
Secretary Alfredo Álvarez explained that they assisted the teachers under the Governor’s orders to authorize a payroll for interim workers by the coming Friday. Moreover, they would address a complex issue involving union officials appointed in exchange for interim positions.
The teachers then gathered at Parque Morelos, where Erick Díaz Preciado stated that payment would be arranged the following afternoon and that a meeting with the Secretary of Government, along with Ricardo Serrano, was scheduled the next morning to discuss payment solutions for back dues from 2022, 2023, and other pending matters. Once commitments are met, the teachers expressed their readiness to return to the classroom, echoing their mantra: “A day’s work must be paid.”
**Supplementary Article: Ongoing Teacher Strikes in Mexico**
Teacher strikes in Mexico have become increasingly common, often highlighting unresolved issues such as unpaid salaries, inadequate educational resources, and poor working conditions. This wave of dissatisfaction among educators is not isolated and often aligns with broader demands for systemic reforms in the education sector across different regions.
In recent months, similar protests have occurred in various states, emphasizing a nationwide issue of delayed payments for interim and full-time professors. Authorities have repeatedly faced criticism for administrative delays and budgetary misallocations that exacerbate these payment disputes.
National and local governments are under pressure to streamline payment systems and negotiate with teachers’ unions to prevent further disruptions in the education system. These discussions are crucial to ensure a stable academic environment and uphold teachers’ rights across Mexico.
Efforts are being made to enhance dialogue and provide timely solutions, aligned with educators’ expectations, while also balancing fiscal responsibilities. As these negotiations progress, the importance of maintaining quality education for students amidst these challenges remains clear.