School strike extended to Monday

The Local 37 of the National Education Workers Union decided to extend its temporary walkout, which started Wednesday, to Monday.

In a press release, the union’s Secretary General Maria Luisa Gutierrez announced the strike extension and asked parents and students to be understanding of the circumstances.

The strike began after retired teachers were unable to collect their monthly payment due to lack of funds from the state.

State officials blamed the Mexican government for not appropriating funds for retired teachers during the year.

However, the Mexican Department of Public Education’s delegate in Baja California, Carlos Enrique Ramirez, said the federal agency has delivered funds to the state regularly and on time.

The state responded by saying the education department was notified about a shortfall of 4.2 billion pesos, or $227.9 million, to cover retired teachers payments.

However, the Mexican government said in a document the agency is unable to appropriate the funds due to budgetary adjustments, the nation’s economic conditions and the current administration’s end.

Transformemos Party Chair Mayra Flores blamed the state for the controversy.

She emphasized that the petition of funds from the state was for extraordinary funds, meaning the funds intended for retired teachers were expended in other areas.