Mexico's CNTE teachers' strike persists amid stalled talks

The Coordinadora Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (CNTE) continues its national strike that began on 1 June 2026. Teachers maintain a plantón in Mexico City’s historic centre and in Oaxaca, demanding the repeal of the 2007 ISSSTE law, a solidary pension system, the abolition of individual retirement accounts, a 100 % salary increase and an end to recent education reforms.

Negotiations with the federal government (Segob, SEP) have produced offers of resources to hire over 10,000 teachers in Oaxaca and the creation of permanent tripartite tables, but the government rejects abolishing the ISSSTE law, citing fiscal impact. CNTE sections hold assemblies to decide whether to lift the protest; Section 22 in Oaxaca consulted its base, with a vote to end the plantón pending further analysis. The national assembly voted to continue the strike in at least ten states and condemned alleged police intimidation of Guerrero union leaders. Protest actions include blockades of a Pemex fuel terminal in the Valles Centrales, halting operations at 17 gasoline stations, and the occupation of private pension‑fund offices on Paseo de la Reforma. The strike has suspended schooling for more than 1.4 million students and disrupted commerce in affected regions.