On Friday afternoon, a major protest by a prominent teachers' union briefly halted operations at Mexico City's international airport, impacting flights and causing chaos for many passengers. Beginning around 2 p.m. local time, union members rallied for higher wages, leading to a flurry of activity as security forces moved into the terminal areas to restore order.
The demonstration lasted approximately 20 minutes, yet it severely affected travel, with numerous international flights facing cancellations or significant delays. Airlines, including Aeroméxico, offered affected travelers opportunities to change their travel arrangements without incurring extra fees. The protest also caused gridlock on surrounding streets, necessitating police intervention to assist stranded travelers.
The unrest shines a light on the challenges facing Mexico's leftist President, Claudia Sheinbaum, as she grapples with rising demands from various labor unions amid a struggling economy and a large budget deficit. Union leader Eva Hinojosa Tera expressed frustration over the government's inaction regarding their requests for improved working conditions.
The protest was organized by the National Educational Workers Coordination (C.N.T.E.), a faction of Mexico’s largest teachers' union with around 100,000 members. Their primary demands include a doubling of teacher salaries and reforms to pension and education laws deemed detrimental to educators. The C.N.T.E. has a history of participating in strikes and demonstrations to advocate for their members' rights.
The demonstration lasted approximately 20 minutes, yet it severely affected travel, with numerous international flights facing cancellations or significant delays. Airlines, including Aeroméxico, offered affected travelers opportunities to change their travel arrangements without incurring extra fees. The protest also caused gridlock on surrounding streets, necessitating police intervention to assist stranded travelers.
The unrest shines a light on the challenges facing Mexico's leftist President, Claudia Sheinbaum, as she grapples with rising demands from various labor unions amid a struggling economy and a large budget deficit. Union leader Eva Hinojosa Tera expressed frustration over the government's inaction regarding their requests for improved working conditions.
The protest was organized by the National Educational Workers Coordination (C.N.T.E.), a faction of Mexico’s largest teachers' union with around 100,000 members. Their primary demands include a doubling of teacher salaries and reforms to pension and education laws deemed detrimental to educators. The C.N.T.E. has a history of participating in strikes and demonstrations to advocate for their members' rights.
