A Showdown in the Capital
The National Coordinator of Education Workers (CNTE) launched an indefinite strike and a massive protest on Monday, June 1, marching from the Angel of Independence toward Mexico City’s Zócalo. The action, intended to pressure the federal government following a breakdown in negotiations with the Secretariat of Public Education (SEP), comes just days before the kickoff of the 2026 World Cup.
Pedro Hernández, general secretary of Section 9 in Mexico City, accused both federal and local authorities of "walling off" the Zócalo to prioritize preparations for the sporting event. In a video shared on social media, Hernández, who also serves as principal of the Centauro del Norte primary school, dismissed the tournament as a "spectacle detached from the needs of the majority of the population."
Economic Priorities and Labor Demands
The union leader argued that the high cost of stadium tickets excludes working-class families, claiming that the economic benefits of the World Cup will be funneled to private companies, television networks, and corporations. According to Hernández, while authorities are pouring resources and support into the tournament, fundamental issues regarding salaries, pensions, and labor rights remain unaddressed.
The CNTE’s core demands include a 100 percent salary increase, the ability to retire after 28 years of service, and the repeal of the 2007 ISSSTE Law. Furthermore, teachers are calling for the total elimination of the education reform implemented during the Enrique Peña Nieto administration (2012–2018), noting that these promises have gone unfulfilled for years.
Traffic and Transit Disruptions
The march, which began at 9:00 a.m., has caused significant road closures across critical arteries. According to reports from El Financiero and the Secretariat of Citizen Security, disruptions include Paseo de la Reforma—from the Angel of Independence to Juárez—the entirety of Avenida Juárez, and the intersection of Eje Central and 5 de Mayo, where the union had already established an encampment.
Public transportation has also faced major interruptions. The Metrobús system is among the most affected, with service suspended on Line 7, which runs along Paseo de la Reforma, as well as on Lines 1 and 4, which pass through areas with high concentrations of protesters. Authorities have recommended using Viaducto Miguel Alemán, Avenida Chapultepec, and Circuito Interior as alternative routes.
Escalation Plans
The CNTE has warned that if they do not receive a satisfactory response from the government, they will leverage the media spotlight of the 2026 World Cup to escalate their pressure tactics. The union remains hopeful that the government will reconsider the security measures in the city center and allow their protests to continue in the space that has historically served as the country’s primary hub for social movements.
