On Wednesday, May 1, 2025, workers across Mexico will join in solidarity to celebrate International Workers' Day, with numerous unions organizing marches and parades to advocate for better labor conditions. In Quintana Roo, at least 20 unions will participate in events, emphasizing the importance of workers' rights and social justice.
In the municipality of Benito Juárez, over 18 union organizations, including the Confederación Revolucionaria de Obreros y Campesinos (CROC) and the Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (SNTE), will gather at 8:00 AM at a location known as El Crucero. They will then march towards the Municipal Palace where a rally will take place, highlighting the collective demands of laborers in the region.
Meanwhile, the SNTE Section 25, led by state leader Arimael Salas Alcocer, will also take part in parades across other municipalities, including Lázaro Cárdenas, Cozumel, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Felipe Carrillo Puerto, and José María Morelos. This widespread participation underscores the unity among workers in various sectors.
In Chetumal, the Comité Central de Lucha Quintana Roo, comprised of workers from the education sector and state institutions, has organized a megamarch under the theme of a “jornada de lucha unificada.” This march will begin at 9:00 AM in front of the Museo de la Cultura Maya on Avenida De los Héroes. The marchers will demand significant changes, including the repeal of the 2007 ISSSTE Law, the defense of acquired labor rights, and the advancement towards a solidary social security system.
The organizers have emphasized the need for peaceful demonstrations, urging participants to respect the guidelines established for the marches. The character of these events is not only about commemorating the day but also about making a strong statement regarding workers' rights.
In Reynosa, Tamaulipas, the Labor Day parade is expected to be a grand affair, with approximately 20,000 residents participating. The event will consist of six blocks, each containing about 20 contingents, showcasing a vibrant display of solidarity among workers and local business representatives. Salvador Portillo Martínez, the Secretary of Organization for the Federation of Workers in Reynosa, confirmed the participation of various local chambers as well as unions like CROC and ISSSTE.
The parade will kick off at 9:00 AM, starting from the intersection of Herón Ramírez and Nayarit, progressing through several streets until it concludes at the Plaza Principal. As part of their demands, workers will advocate for the implementation of a 40-hour workweek with 56 hours of pay, as well as an extension of paternity leave from 5 to 15 days. Other ongoing issues, such as the supply of medications and fuel price adjustments, will also be addressed during the event.
In Puebla, independent unions that are part of the Unión Nacional de Trabajadores (UNT) will march with an anticipated turnout of over 20,000 participants. Members of 30 organizations, including the Sindicato de Telefonistas and various electrical and healthcare unions, will gather at Juárez Avenue and 25 South. The leaders will make statements at 8:00 AM, and the march is expected to start at 9:00 AM, heading towards the city’s zócalo.
The UNT is calling upon workers to raise their voices in defense of labor rights, focusing on demands such as a reduction in the Impuesto Sobre la Renta (ISR), an increase in the aguinaldo to 30 days of salary, and a reduction of the workweek to 40 hours. They are also insisting that companies respect the payment of 10% of profits, aiming to combat the precarious conditions many workers face.
As these marches unfold, they will inevitably impact traffic in various cities. In the central areas of cities like Puebla and Reynosa, adjustments to traffic patterns will be implemented to accommodate the large number of participants. In Puebla, for instance, the Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (SNTE) Section 52 will begin its march at 9:00 AM from the intersection of Tomasa Esteves Avenue and Venustiano Carranza, while the Sindicato de Teléfonos de México will start from Alameda Juan Sarabia at 8:00 AM. To facilitate mobility, alternative routes will be provided, including the double circulation on 20 de Noviembre Avenue and changes to the direction of traffic on Reforma Avenue.
Authorities are advising citizens to remain alert to traffic changes and to plan ahead to avoid disruptions during the mobilizations. The unions have emphasized the need for peaceful gatherings, reinforcing the historical significance of the day and the ongoing struggle for labor rights.
As the clock strikes 9:00 AM across various locations, the chants and slogans of workers will echo through the streets, a powerful reminder of their collective strength and determination to fight for better working conditions and social justice.
This year’s Labor Day celebrations not only honor the achievements of workers but also serve as a rallying cry for ongoing struggles against inequality and injustice in the workplace. With the participation of thousands, these marches represent a unified front, advocating for rights that have been hard-won through years of struggle.
