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Local News
17 February 2025

Transport Workers And Health Employees Mobilize For Megamarch

Thousands expected to disrupt traffic as they demand justice and improved working conditions.

On February 17, 2025, thousands of transportation workers and health sector employees are expected to take to the streets of Mexico City (CDMX) and the State of Mexico (Edomex) for what has been dubbed the "megamarca," causing significant disruptions to vehicular traffic across the area. Organizations such as the Union of Transporters, Merchants, and Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Mexico, alongside the National Union of Health Workers (SNTSA), have come together to voice their demands amid mounting concerns over extortion, fabricated charges, and deteriorated working conditions.

The first actions are set to begin at 8:00 AM across multiple locations, including major highways leading to the capital. Protesters plan to gather at five key points before converging on the Zócalo, the main square of Mexico City. These locations include:

  • Puente de Fierro San Cristóbal (on the way to the Mexico-Pachuca Highway)
  • Mexico-Querétaro Toll Booth (near Tepotzotlán)
  • Mexico-Cuernavaca Toll Booth (direction CDMX)
  • Calzada Ignacio Zaragoza (from Cabeza de Juárez)
  • La Marquesa Toll Booth (on the Mexico-Toluca route)

The convergence aims to build pressure on the administration of President Claudia Sheinbaum, as transport workers call for immediate measures to safeguard their rights and livelihoods. According to statements from transport organizations, these demonstrations follow "constant threats and abuses" affecting their operations and financial stability.

“We will no longer allow the constant criminalization and extortion from the authorities to continue. Working with dignity should not be considered a crime,” stated representatives from the Union of Transporters, who are rallying support not just from drivers, but also from barbers and small business owners who have faced similar issues.

Compounding the traffic chaos will be demonstrations from health workers, also scheduled for February 17. At 10:00 AM, members of the SNTSA will initiate blockades at strategic locations, including access points to both the International Airport Benito Juárez de la Ciudad de México (AICM) and Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA), affecting thousands of lives and daily commutes.

The health workers will demand the payment of overdue salaries and improved working conditions, having faced cuts to their wages and protracted work shifts, as well as insufficient supplies for medical practices. The dual nature of these protests marks a significant day for citizens across the metropolitan area, who are bracing for one of the most disruptive mornings yet.

Expected road closures include:

  • North Peripheral Road
  • Circuito Exterior Mexiquense
  • Highways to Pachuca, Querétaro, Puebla, Tacubo, and Toluca
  • Avenida Adolfo López Mateos
  • Calle Chimalhuacán

Authorities have alerted the public to the potential blockages beginning at 8 AM, concurrently warning travelers to anticipate heavy delays, especially near key airport accesses.

Reacting to the protest, AICM and Aeroméxico have advised passengers to arrive early at the terminals and stay updated on the status of their flights, as road interruptions are likely to extend well beyond morning hours. “We recommend adding extra time to your commute to the airport,” the airline noted, signaling the expected turbulence following the protests.

“This is not just about us, it’s about everyone's right to work without fear of abuse or extortion,” stressed one transport leader. Additional solidarity movements are anticipated from other sectors caught up in bureaucratic struggles, hinting at the potential for widespread economic and operational impact across industries. The public is advised to seek alternative routes when possible, as local authorities plan to deploy additional resources to manage these significant mobilizations.

Overall, February 17 is set to be a pivotal day for transportation workers and health sector employees as they unite to reclaim their rights and demand immediate governmental actions to address their collective grievances.