Teachers suspend classes.

Over 8,000 teachers suspended classes Tuesday to protest the lack of retirement benefits, according to media reports. National Education Workers Union Local 37 General Secretary María Luisa Gutiérrez told La Crónica newspaper that 980 schools were impacted by the suspension. Teachers gathered for a demonstration Tuesday morning at Mexicali civic center.

Gutierrez said the union has exhausted negotiations with the state to solve the issues.

In the last 18 months the state has given retirement benefits to 600 teachers out of the 3,200 entitled to retire.

“Our members are interested in our children and youth education,” Gutiérrez said. “But if cabinet members are not interested in the state public education, our teachers are.”

The union leader said protests will increase until the state provides a solution to their concerns.

State Secretary of Education Miguel Angel Mendoza told the newspaper that the financial issue is the lack of cash flux. The official blamed the Secretary of Planning and Finances, the agency in charge of disbursing funds.

“We just handle education,” Mendoza said.

The Secretary acknowledged union member have a legitimate right to protest to get their pensions paid.

“Anybody would get angry if after 30 years working one does not get retirement benefits,” he said. “The union has a right to protest.”