National teachers' strike in Mexico

reported today by the Mexico Solidarity Network:

TEACHERS ANNOUNCE INDEFINITE STRIKE

After massive May Day marches around the country denounced the recent
ISSSTE reform, the National Coordinator of Education Workers (CNTE)
announced an indefinite strike to begin May 7. CNTE members, as well as
many dissident members of the official SNTE, were present in large
numbers around Mexico on May Day protesting ISSSTE reforms that privatized
the pension and health care benefits of tens of thousands of government
employees. Elba Esther Gordillo, head of the SNTE, is largely
responsible for the passage of ISSSTE reforms. She hopes to benefit from the
reform through formation of private firms under her control that will
manage retirement accounts. On May 2, hundreds of teachers blocked
international bridges in Ciudad Juarez and other border cities, and blocked
major highways around urban centers throughout the country.

University workers from STUNAM are expected to join the strike.
Support from the National Workers Union (UNT), a dissident union central
similar to a smaller version of the AFL-CIO, is reportedly set to support
the strike, though the UNT did not support the May 2 actions. May Day
demonstrators were particularly vocal in their rejection of ISSSTE
reforms, which may lead some hesitant unions to assume a more militant
position. The ISSSTE reforms are considered the first step in President
Calderon's plans to privatize all health services and pension benefits.

Meanwhile, the federal judiciary appointed a special judge to deal with
more than 100,000 amparos (the rough equivalent of a request for
temporary restraining order) presented by employees who would be affected by
the ISSSTE reforms. Normally a judge issues between 800 and 900
decisions per year, and it is unclear how the newly appointed official will
deal with 100,000 cases.