Teachers from Oaxaca and Chiapas continue holding sit-ins despite some colleagues withdrawing from protests after reaching partial agreements with the government [1].
The split in the movement highlights deep divisions within Mexico's educator unions over whether partial concessions are sufficient to address long-term systemic grievances. While some teachers are returning to their duties, those in the south maintain that their core demands remain unmet.
The national strike had lasted 19 days [1]. During this period, educators from the National Union of Education Workers (SNTE) and the National Coordinator of Education Workers (CNTE) occupied the historic center of Mexico City and various locations in Oaxaca and Chiapas [1].
Internal consultations within the SNTE revealed a shift toward ending the demonstrations. Approximately 12,000 votes were cast in favor of pausing the protests [2]. This vote facilitated the withdrawal of many teachers from the capital's center, though it did not resolve the underlying disputes for all factions [1].
The teachers remaining in the sit-ins are pressing for the full revocation of the 2007 pension reform [1]. They also demand that the government fulfill specific promises made at the beginning of the strike [1]. These holdouts argue that the partial agreements reached by the SNTE do not cover the comprehensive needs of educators in the most marginalized states.
Protesters in Oaxaca and Chiapas have remained steadfast in their positions, utilizing sit-ins to maintain pressure on federal authorities [1]. The movement continues to grapple with internal wear and tear, balancing the need for immediate concessions against the goal of total legislative change regarding the ISSSTE law [1].
“Teachers from Oaxaca and Chiapas continue holding sit-ins despite some colleagues withdrawing from protests”
The divergence between the SNTE and the more radical CNTE factions underscores a persistent tension in Mexican labor relations. By accepting partial agreements, the SNTE has secured immediate wins for a segment of its membership, but the continued protests in Oaxaca and Chiapas suggest that the 2007 pension reform remains a volatile flashpoint. The government may find it easier to manage a fragmented movement, but the failure to address the root causes in the southern states ensures that labor instability will likely persist in those regions.
