Organizing the Strategy
The National Coordinator of Education Workers (CNTE) formally convened its National Representative Assembly (ANR)—the organization’s highest decision-making body—late Monday night. The session, which began at 11:01 p.m. on June 1, is primarily tasked with defining the action plan and mobilizations that the dissident teachers' union will carry out this Tuesday as part of its ongoing indefinite strike.
During the opening proceedings, CNTE leaders conducted an exhaustive review of the protest strategy implemented to date. The organization emphasized that this movement is backed by more than four decades of union history, evolving from initial 24-, 48-, and 72-hour rolling strikes to the current national walkout that has left the education sector in a state of uncertainty.
Core Demands and Internal Tensions
The teachers' core demands remain unchanged and were reiterated during the session. Representatives are calling for the repeal of the 2007 ISSSTE Law, the elimination of the individual pension account system, and the establishment of a collective retirement system. Additionally, the assembly’s agenda includes demands for salary increases and dignified working conditions for education personnel.
The atmosphere of the assembly was marked by reports of alleged repression against members of the organization. According to participants, these incidents occurred during recent protests in both the state of Oaxaca and Mexico City. In light of this, leadership issued an urgent call to the various union sections to maintain unity and strengthen the national mobilization strategy.
A Critical Political Moment
The convening of this assembly comes at a politically sensitive time, as the Secretariat of Public Education (SEP) has invited the CNTE to a dialogue at the Secretariat of the Interior this Tuesday. Through this meeting, the federal government hopes to reach agreements that would end the indefinite strike and normalize school activities. The ANR will serve as the forum to analyze the state of the movement and determine how to respond to this official invitation, as well as to plan the union's activities for the coming hours.
