Teachers from the National Coordinator of Education Workers (CNTE) in Baja California are threatening to block the San Ysidro port of entry this week if the federal government does not meet their demands. The union has already launched an indefinite strike affecting 600 schools across the state and occupied Education Secretariat buildings in Tijuana, Playas de Rosarito, Ensenada, and San Quintín.
A federal meeting with top officials on June 2 ended without agreement, raising the likelihood of escalation. The CNTE’s demands include repeal of the 2007 ISSSTE (Institute of Security and Social Services for State Workers) pension law, wage increases, and back pay owed to more than 3,000 teachers since 2019.
A Proven Tactic With Real Consequences
The CNTE has a track record of following through on border blockade threats. In March 2026, between 2,000 and 3,000 CNTE teachers and ISSSTE workers blocked the El Chaparral crossing at San Ysidro for roughly an hour, forcing the California Highway Patrol to divert southbound traffic on Interstates 5 and 805 onto State Route 905. That 72-hour strike also included tollbooth takeovers at Playas de Tijuana and the Tijuana-Tecate highway.
In June 2025, about 300 CNTE teachers blocked the same El Chaparral crossing, again causing CHP to divert I-5 traffic onto Camino de la Plaza. San Ysidro is the busiest land border crossing in the Western Hemisphere, handling more than 100,000 daily crossings.
Strike Could Last Through August
Union leaders have described the current strike as indefinite. It could potentially last through August if the federal government refuses to negotiate. The 600 affected schools span the entire state of Baja California, from Tijuana south to San Quintín.
The CNTE’s grievances center on the 2007 ISSSTE pension reform, which the union says condemns state workers to inadequate retirement benefits. The back pay issue involves salaries owed to teachers hired since 2019 who have reportedly not received full compensation.
Cross-border commuters and travelers should monitor conditions at San Ysidro closely. Alternate crossings include Otay Mesa, which handles commercial and passenger traffic, and Tecate, though that route has also been targeted by CNTE protests in the past. CBP wait times are available through the agency’s website and app.
This story was first reported by Punto Norte.