In the weeks and days leading up to the World Cup games being hosted in Mexico City, education workers from the Coordinadora Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educacion (CNTE) union ramped up class struggle. To protest the pro-capitalist policies of the Morena government of President Claudia Sheinbaum, they blocked major roads in Mexico City -- including those leading to the stadium where the football games were played – to leverage resistance and workers’ power. Comrades from the international Progressive Labor Party (PLP) connected with and supported these brave workers’ efforts, while distributing our leaflet explaining our revolutionary communist analysis and goals.

Below are the verbatim comments of education workers who participated in the recent teachers’ strike regarding the CHALLENGE leaflet distributed during the day of action. They highlight the points to strengthen and the importance of raising the political consciousness of our class to intensify the struggle against the system. These are important lessons for us. 

Class consciousness rising 

“Well, for me it was good at that moment when the national strike began. Now our position will change based on the results and the future of the CNTE’s struggle with other sectors.”

“I find the information interesting. It would have been important to add that corporatism continues with Alfonso Sepeyada Salas, just like during the PRIAN era with Elba Esther Gordillo (notoriously corrupt former union leader, ed. CHALLENGE), and that the government continues to employ double standards and criminalize social protest.”

“It’s a good strategy to raise awareness, first and foremost, as a teachers’ union. Unfortunately, the younger generations have normalized the fact that their right to a solidarity-based pension system is being taken away. When we truly become aware of this, then we can raise awareness in society. I mention this because of the low participation of the rank and file. I remember that on January 16, 1997, when I joined the national education system, the union was actively involved in all union activities. I participated for the first time in May of that year in a march that went from Oaxaca to Mexico City, joining in Izúcar de Matamoros and continuing to Mexico City. I remember well that in each community where we arrived in the afternoons to rest, the people welcomed us with joy and great support. I don’t understand at what point we began to lose society as our allies. However, we still have time to reorient our social struggle and demonstrate that we are pursuing a class and collective interest.”

“I think this is a document that society needs to know about, but especially education professionals, in a political workshop or union training.”

“We should have included in the flyer the specific names of the Mexican and foreign capitalists who are stealing education workers’ savings through banks using the pension fund scam.”

“It was very helpful in giving a general idea of what’s happening.”

“It helped to encourage more teachers and workers from other sectors to participate in the general strike.”

Fightback goes on

We appreciate these contributions and insight and applaud the workers’ unwavering spirit to learn and fight. We understand that we need to build a fighting movement that can take the offensive of millions of workers against the capitalist state in revolutionary struggle, while we simultaneously win the masses to see Sheinbaum and all politicians as the misleading frauds that they are. Building the mass PLP is the best way to work towards both goals, and we are eager to win these workers to that fight. In the next issue, we will report on a meeting held with residents of a community involved in the struggle regarding the teachers’ strike. Onward to victory!