The National Coordinator of Education Workers (CNTE) will hold a national 72-hour strike this Wednesday, March 18, extending until Friday, 20, as part of a nationwide protest day that includes marches, blockades, and the installation of a sit-in in Mexico City. The strike contemplates continuous actions for three days in various entities of the country, with the possibility of escalating to an indefinite strike if agreements are not reached with the authorities. The mobilization has Mexico City as its main focus, although impacts are expected in at least 15 states, including Chiapas, Oaxaca, Guerrero, Quintana Roo, Morelos, Sinaloa, State of Mexico, Hidalgo, Baja California, Yucatan, Veracruz, Nuevo Leon, and Sonora. In Oaxaca, the taking of toll booths, shopping malls, and Petróleos Mexicanos installations is planned. In Michoacán, Section XVIII of the CNTE announced activities from March 18 to 20, which include participation in the national march, the taking of municipal presidencies on the 19th, and a state march on the 20th at 08:00 hours, from the Lázaro Cárdenas Monument to the Government Palace. The route includes Paseo de la Reforma, Avenida Juárez, Eje Central, and streets of the Historic Center, to arrive at the Plaza de la Constitución, in front of the National Palace. After the mobilization, CNTE members will set up a sit-in at the Zócalo, which is expected to remain until March 20. The schedule indicates that on Thursday the 19th the sit-in will continue, and on Friday the 20th dissemination activities such as handing out flyers will be carried out, in addition to the possible removal of the camp. Photo: EFE Archive Traffic and economic impacts It is expected that the mobilizations will impact key thoroughfares of the capital, such as Paseo de la Reforma, Avenida Juárez, Eje Central, and various streets of the Historic Center, which could generate prolonged blockades, decreased mobility, logistical interruptions, and a reduction in pedestrian flow. The National Chamber of Commerce, Services and Tourism of Mexico City (Canaco CDMX) expressed its concern about the possible impacts on micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. The president of the body, Vicente Gutiérrez, warned of the impact on 'income, operation, and labor stability'. Likewise, he called on the CNTE for the protests to 'develop with full respect for third parties, prioritizing dialogue and avoiding disproportionate impacts on the citizenry and the productive sector', and urged the authorities to 'establish effective and timely dialogue mechanisms that allow addressing the demands of the teaching profession'. Demands of the teaching profession Among the main demands of the CNTE are the repeal of the ISSSTE Law of 2007, the elimination of educational reforms implemented in previous administrations, as well as a 100% salary increase to the base salary. They also demand improvements in labor and educational conditions, the elimination of the pension system based on Afores, the reinstatement of dismissed workers, the end of so-called 'syndical charrismo', and the installation of dialogue tables both at the national and tripartite levels. Photo: Cuartoscuro Archive The CNTE accused the federal and state authorities of lack of attention, as well as the abandonment of their labor and social security rights, which is why it called for the organization and mobilization of the guild. In these entities, total or partial suspension of classes is anticipated, as well as mobilizations and blockades at different points. As part of the central actions, this Wednesday at 09:00 a march will take place that will depart from the Angel of Independence heading to the capital's Zócalo. Likewise, he emphasized that their demands do not respond to particular interests. Likewise, he emphasized that their demands do not respond to particular interests and issued a warning ahead of the 2026 Soccer World Cup: 'The reforms are repealed or the ball does not roll'. In addition to the capital, the protests will be replicated in different entities.
