MEXICO CITY – Around 200 sanitation workers from the 16 boroughs of Mexico City protested at the intersection of Fray Servando and Bolivar, in the Centro neighborhood of the Cuauhtémoc borough. The demonstration took place in front of the General Directorate of Personnel Administration and Administrative Development.
Workers Demand Full Union Inclusion
The protesting workers demanded to be fully included in the Mexico City Government Workers’ Union (SUTGCDMX). They claimed their demands had not been addressed, which led them to empty the contents of four garbage trucks in front of the main entrance of the government building.
The protest escalated when two piles of garbage were set on fire, and some stones and metal objects were thrown at the glass doors of the building. Following these actions, the demonstrators, along with 20 garbage trucks that had been parked at the site, dispersed.
Police Presence and Minor Injuries
Approximately 200 uniformed officers from the Metropolitan Group, equipped with helmets and shields, arrived at the scene. However, their intervention was not required as the protesters had already left.
The garbage scattered by the protesting workers was subsequently collected by other sanitation workers, also employed by the Mexico City government, who loaded it onto different garbage trucks.
At least four officers from the Banking and Industrial Police (PBI) of the Mexico City Secretariat of Citizen Security (SSC) required medical attention. They suffered minor injuries and inhaled smoke that entered the government building. One officer was transported to a hospital for specialized medical care.
The “Digit” Issue: A Barrier to Rights
The protesting workers belong to Section 1 of the Mexico City Government Workers’ Union, but they do not enjoy the same rights as other members due to the lack of a “digit.”
The assignment of union “digits” is an administrative process primarily within the Mexico City government. This digit serves as a unique identifier for base workers, formalizing their membership in the union (such as the SUTGCDMX). It is typically assigned automatically based on seniority, sometimes with additional requirements regarding age or years of service, and is reflected in their payroll as a recognition of their labor rights.
The workers argue that without this “digit,” they are denied essential benefits and protections afforded to other union members, creating a disparity in their working conditions and overall employment security.
This protest highlights ongoing issues regarding labor rights and union representation for sanitation workers in Mexico City, a critical service for the city’s environmental health and public well-being.
Source: https://889noticias.mx/noticias/protestan-trabajadores-de-limpia-de-la-cdmx/
