Striking teachers block railways in western Mexico

By Nancy Caouette

MEXICO CITY (AA) – Hundred striking teachers blocked railways in seven municipalities in the western state of Michoacan for a fourth day in row Thursday to protest an education reform law.

Members of the CNTE, a teachers union labeled “radical” by the Mexican government, and supporters on Wednesday slept on several parts of the rail network operated by Kansas City Southern Lines.

The Port Authority of Michoacan told local media that 240 freight containers were prevented from moving Wednesday at the Lazaro Cardenas Port, the most important in the state.

The containers are transporting 4,000 tons of merchandizes, including electronics, clothes and shoes, the port authority said.

Striking teachers places tree trunks and large rocks at four points on the rail network, according to local media.

Thousands of CNTE members who mostly work in the poorest states in Mexico began an indefinite strike May 15.

The teachers have organized marches, sit-ins, and highway and railway blockades to voice objection to a measure within an education reform law passes in 2013 that mandates teachers pass a test in order to keep their jobs.

Protests turned deadly last month when federal police opened fire in the southern state of Oaxaca, killing eight civilians.

On Thursday, members of CNTE met with representatives of Mexico’s Interior Secretary to discuss the controversial reform.

The CNTE presented an alternative education plan designed by the striking teachers and 12 university professors.

“We can no longer sit at dialogue at the negotiations table without getting any results. We hope to find answers to the proposals,” said Victor Zavala, a CNTE leader, told the local newspaper El Financiero.

Last week, the Public Education Secretary Aurelio Nuno said his team and another teacher union, the SNTE, would present a redesigned evaluation plan within 45 days.

The CNTE, however, denounced the fact that its members were not invited to participate in forming the new measures.