State of Mexico Teachers Mobilize and Block Major Highways Demanding Overdue Wages
State of Mexico – Teachers from the Teachers’ Union in the Service of the State of Mexico (SMSEM) mobilized to demand the payment of overdue wages.
“We demand full payment for the state’s teachers” and “Enough of these abuses!” were among the slogans shouted as they blocked highways, the Periférico ring road, and major thoroughfares, affecting thousands of motorists and passengers.
When Did the Protests and Highway Blockades Begin?
The blockades scheduled for this Thursday began at 8:00 a.m. at various points across the metropolitan area, affecting avenues and highways such as the Mexico-Puebla, Mexico-Querétaro, and Mexico-Toluca expressways.
What Did the Protesting Teachers Demand?
“We demand that the State of Mexico government and Governor provide full payment of salaries and supplementary benefits in a timely manner,” was the teachers’ collective demand.
Demonstrations took place on the Mexico-Querétaro, Texcoco-Lechería, Mexico-Texcoco, and Mexico-Puebla highways;
on Mario Colín Avenue in Tlalnepantla;
on José López Portillo Avenue near Tultepec; and on the Toluca-Ixtlahuaca highway.
How Did the Blockades Affect Traffic?
A critical blockade point was on the Periférico, in front of the Naucalpan Municipal Palace; traffic was almost completely halted by the teachers’ protest. Although they allowed traffic to flow through a single lane, it was not enough to prevent a massive traffic jam—effectively a long line of stationary vehicles—from forming along the artery, stretching as far back as Tepotzotlán.
Another group of SMSEM teachers is blocking López Portillo Avenue near the municipality of Ecatepec;
in addition to the payment of their support allowances, they are demanding payment of an 8.2 percent salary increase.
Similarly, teachers near Tultepec are also demanding full payments and a response from the authorities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why did SMSEM teachers protest and block highways in the State of Mexico?
Teachers mobilized to demand the full and timely payment of overdue wages, supplementary benefits, support allowances, and an 8.2 percent salary increase from state authorities.
Which major routes and thoroughfares were affected by the demonstrations?
Blockades severely impacted the Periférico ring road in Naucalpan, the Mexico-Querétaro, Mexico-Puebla, Mexico-Texcoco, and Mexico-Toluca expressways, as well as avenues in Tlalnepantla and Ecatepec.