CIUDAD DE MÉXICO, January 22 (EL UNIVERSAL) - Workers from the Federal Judicial Power (PJF) of the 23rd Circuit in Zacatecas joined the indefinite labor stoppage this week, prompted by the Federal Judiciary Council's (CJF) decision to cut the employer contribution to the Individualized Separation Insurance and the Individualized Reserve Fund from 10% to 2%. Similarly, workers from the 10th Circuit in Villahermosa, Tabasco, and the 20th Circuit in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, started their own stoppages. Mitxia Maravilla, judicial officer of the Second Collegiate Court of Zacatecas, told EL UNIVERSAL this move was triggered by the reductions to worker benefits resulting from budgetary cuts to the PJF.
Despite the CJF’s announcement on January 21 reversing the reductions to the Individualized Retirement Fund and Individualized Separation Insurance for core staff, federal public servants claimed there are no guarantees for the payment of other benefits. More than 100 public servants gathered at the PJF headquarters in the state capital on Tuesday to protest the reduced employer contributions and the lack of budget to secure major medical insurance payments and special assignments from November.
José Guadalupe Méndez de Lira, leader of the PJF workers' union in Zacatecas, stated, "This social protest is to demand President Claudia Sheinbaum, as well as the Chamber of Deputies and Senators, and the CJF respect our salaries and benefits as of 2024." The goal of the strike is to raise visibility about their demands and compel official acknowledgment affirming their salaries and benefits won't be diminished this year or beyond.
Maravillas emphasized, though progress has been made with two benefits, many more remain at risk. She highlighted major medical insurance could be impacted from 2026, and there may be no funding for the special November bonus.
Across the border, personnel from other circuits, including those from Jalisco and Michoacán, are also considering joining the strike, with potential scaled actions nationwide following closures of PJF offices on January 21.
The CJF stated, "Despite budget reductions, we will respect the salary and benefits of all workers," yet adjustments reduce contributions to funds like the Separation Insurance to 2%, deemed necessary to maintain budget sustainability. The council's efforts to control expenses also drew criticism, citing, "Less personnel and insufficient resources hinder our ability to effectively handle judicial cases, directly affecting citizens seeking justice." According to the CJF, the judiciary's budget was decreased by 17.1%, causing significant operational challenges.
Roberto Vega Turrubiartes, workers' representative from San Luis Potosí, noted they have voted to potentially strike and are focused on building consensus across circuits. Meanwhile, as of now, over 5,000 workers from five judicial circuits are participating in partial strikes, addressing only urgent matters. These workers assert their demands for fair treatment and adequate resources must be met.
Irma Elizabeth Monzón Velasco, from the 1st Collegiate Court of the 20th Circuit, highlighted the substantial impact of these mobilizations, stating, "All workers, public and private, have the right to defend themselves... we are suspending our activities for now and will communicate our proceedings."