A dissident faction within Mexico's National Educational Workers' Union said Aug. 18 that not only will it continue its monthslong strike, but new protests can be expected from Aug. 22. The Mexican government is in negotiations with the faction, known as the National Coordinator of Education Workers (CNTE), to try to resolve differences over Mexico's education reform. The government says proposed reforms will standardize and improve public education, but the teachers' union considers such moves an attempt to privatize Mexico's education system at the expense of teachers themselves. So far, the CNTE has been unwilling to accept the government compromises on offer, including bonus payments to teachers and the release of CNTE members currently jailed in Oaxaca. The faction stated that it will not rest until the entire reform is suspended....
