President Sheinbaum on Monday reiterated that her government would not hold further direct bilateral talks with a dissident teachers’ union that is wreaking havoc in the capital, while federal police prepared for strike action at toll booths on the highway to Cuernavaca. 

Teachers belonging to the CNTE union have been on strike since June 1, with thousands setting up camp throughout Mexico City’s Historic Center. The union has blockaded major thoroughfares in the capital, staged demonstrations at the Mexico City International Airport, the Education Ministry and other federal buildings and threatened to disrupt the World Cup.

During her Monday morning news conference, Sheinbaum said negotiations with the CNTE would continue but would be in a tripartite format involving the federal government, the respective state governments and the union. 

“The government has submitted its final proposal, including a permanent technical working group,” she said, adding that her administration will consult with teachers school by school to address pension reform possibilities.

Also Monday, the federal Security Ministry (SSPC) said it was taking measures ahead of the union’s planned mobilization at the Mexico City-Cuernavaca toll booths.

The SSPC released a statement saying that approximately 800 protesters are expected to carry out actions on the northbound side of the highway (heading into Mexico City), including taking over the Tlalpan toll plaza and granting motorists free passage into the capital.

Union leaders held a press conference in the Los Cipreses neighborhood near the toll booth, announcing their upcoming strike actions and reiterating their demands such as wage increases and pension reform.

The SSPC said it would monitor the demonstrations throughout the day and publish updates on route changes and traffic disruptions, while also providing alternative routes to the public through its official Road Information Center.

The CNTE members are also expected to stage demonstrations in at least 20 states, from Oaxaca and Chiapas in the south to Sonora and Chihuahua up north.

Authorities around the country urged travelers to stay informed through official channels, and to remain alert to alternative route recommendations.

After the federal government announced its final offer and ended negotiations, the union voted on Sunday to reject the proposals and continue its strike. However, El Universal reported that some teachers voiced concern about demonstrations that inconvenience the general public, saying that public sentiment could turn against them.

Living on the streets of the capital is proving to be a burden on the teachers, Sheinbaum said, noting that there were considerably fewer people present in the encampments over the weekend.

Merchants in downtown Mexico City have reported losses in the millions due to the encampments.

With reports from El Financiero, El Heraldo de México and La Jornada