Teachers in Mexico to Strike!
Teachers announced a strike to begin June 1, 2026.
Mexico City, May 17 (EFE).-
Teachers from The National Coordinator of Education Workers of Mexico (CNTE) announced a strike that will begin on Jun. 1, yet warned that they will use the World Cup as a platform to escalate their protests. The CNTE rejected the 9% salary increase announced by the Mexican government.
During a press conference, CNTE leaders, one of Mexico’s main teachers’ unions, accused the federal government of responding with “crumbs” to the teaching profession’s demands.
Isael González of the CNTE in Chiapas said the strike will begin on Jun. 1 with a march from the Angel of Independence to the Zócalo in Mexico City, and from there they will hold an indefinite rally and plan additional protests in the coming days.
“The eyes of the world will be on Mexico City, and we will be showing our discontent there,” he emphasized.
Mexico City will host the opening match of the World Cup on Jun. 11. The tournament is organized by Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
González said the strike would only end if the government repealed the ISSSTE law and the educational reform, accusing the authorities of failing to keep their promises to teachers.
He reiterated that teachers did not request an early end to the school year and maintained that the national strike “is a necessity, not a whim.”
Pedro Hernández from the CNTE’s Section 9 added that the government’s announced increase “does not really represent 9%.” He claimed that much of it corresponds to benefits and that the effective increase would be close to 4.3%, barely above the projected inflation rate for 2026.
“Conforming to that is unacceptable,” he said.
Elvira Veleces Morales, the coordinator of Section 14 in Guerrero, said the demonstrations aim to “make the struggle of the teaching profession visible,” using the World Cup as an opportunity. She added that the outcome during the tournament depends on the federal government’s willingness to address their demands.
Oaxaca’s section 22, one of the CNTE’s main strongholds, announced it will begin mobilizing on May 25. However, they confirmed its participation in the Jun. 1 national strike.
The union’s main demands include repealing the 2007 ISSSTE Law and eliminating the educational reform promoted during the administrations of former presidents Enrique Peña Nieto (2012–2018) and Andrés Manuel López Obrador (2018–2024).
Teachers also demand changes to the retirement system, including a return to a pension system based on years of service, and a 100% salary increase.EFE mjc/dgp
