**Tijuana Workers Protest Against Issstecali Reform**
A significant demonstration took place in Tijuana as unionized workers gathered to voice their opposition to proposed reforms to the Issstecali, which stands for the Institute of Security and Social Services for the Workers of the Government and Municipalities of the State. This protest unfolded on Sunday, December 1st, with participants assembling at 9:30 AM near the monument to the teacher at Minarete Plaza on Paseo de los Héroes. By 10:00 AM, the march moved towards the Cuauhtémoc roundabout in the Zona Río area.
The rally, organized by the collective known as Unidos por la Defensa de Issstecali, saw participation not only from Tijuana but also from Ensenada and Mexicali, drawing in hundreds of union members concerned about the potential impacts of the reform. Luis Mendoza León, president of the Association of Dignity and Democratic Teachers of Baja California, stated that this mobilization was in response to the state’s plan which threatens workers’ rights, both for retirees and active employees.
Protesters highlighted numerous deficiencies within Issstecali, including a severe lack of medication, qualified doctors, and adequate medical equipment, affecting the quality of healthcare services. Banners displayed during the protest bore messages such as “Governor: NO to the Issstecali Law Reform” and called for increased fees and contributions from indebted employers.
This event is the latest chapter in ongoing disputes regarding past changes to Issstecali, including a reform from 2015 that many believe adversely affected both retirees and active workers financially and professionally. The protesters are urging the government, led by Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda, to abandon these new reform plans.
**In Related News:**
Meanwhile, as protests over the proposed changes to Issstecali continue to gain momentum across Baja California, similar state-wide actions are being seen in Tecate, where local union members joined a strike against the reforms. This growing dissent underscores the widespread unease over potential impacts on worker benefits.
On another front, local authorities in Tijuana are bracing for a potential surge in deportations from the United States, a pressing issue following recent pronouncements from U.S. leadership. Efforts are being made to better accommodate potentially displaced individuals upon their return to Mexico.
Additionally, Tijuana’s efforts to curb unauthorized sales of medical passes at inflated prices are seeing support from local businesses. As hotel and restaurant sectors join these initiatives, a legitimate and affordable system for passes is being prioritized.
These developments, along with Tijuana’s ongoing social and economic challenges, characterize a city at the intersection of protest and reform, echoing broader concerns across the region.