Baja California’s two main teacher unions announced they will give female teachers and administrative staff an informal day off on Monday, May 11, in honor of Mother’s Day, directly defying the state Education Secretariat’s formal denial of the request.
Both SNTE (Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación) Sections 2 and 37, and the independent SETE BC union, told members they could stay home Monday to create a long weekend. The state’s Secretaría de Educación rejected the request, citing the official school calendar and the need to meet curriculum requirements for the current term.
State Warns Absences Will Not Be Paid
The Education Secretariat warned that teachers who skip Monday will not receive pay for the day. The agency said any absence without official authorization would be treated as an unjustified absence under labor rules.
That warning drew a sharp response from union leaders. They said if the state docks pay for any teacher who stays home May 11, all union members across Baja California will walk out the following day in a solidarity strike. That threat raises the possibility of a broader school shutdown affecting Tuesday as well.
COBACH Gets the Day Off, Adding to Frustration
Adding fuel to the dispute, COBACH (Colegio de Bachilleres), the state’s public high school system, did receive approval for Monday off. That uneven treatment has frustrated unionized K-12 teachers and their representatives, who see a double standard in the state’s decision.
Mother’s Day falls on Saturday, May 10, in Mexico. The unions framed Monday as a “bridge day” to extend the weekend, a common practice in Mexican workplaces. The state government, however, insisted that the school calendar does not include May 11 as an official holiday or suspension day.
What Parents Should Know
Parents with children in Baja California public schools should expect disruptions on Monday. Even without an official closure order, many schools may have few or no teachers present. Families are encouraged to check directly with their children’s schools Monday morning to confirm whether classes are running.
If the pay dispute escalates and unions follow through on their strike threat, Tuesday could also see widespread closures across the state’s public school system.
This story was first reported by Punto Norte.