TSJCDMX: Violence and Silence Worsen Labor Crisis in Mexico City

The long-running labor dispute at the Superior Court of Justice of Mexico City (TSJCDMX) took an alarming turn on Wednesday, June 11, when a group of individuals, allegedly a "shock group," violently stormed the Judicial City in an attempt to break up the workers' strike that had been ongoing for two weeks. This act of aggression not only left people injured, but also heightened political tensions and highlighted a crisis that demands urgent responses from both the judicial leadership and the city government.

On Wednesday morning, as workers at the TSJCDMX (City of Mexico City) continued their work stoppage demanding better salaries and decent working conditions, a group of approximately 40 people, many of them hooded and described as not belonging to the Judiciary, attempted to forcibly lift the blockade of access to the Judicial City.

The attackers tore down banners and the tape marking the strike area, sparking a direct confrontation with court employees. There were chaotic moments, with shouting, pushing, and punches. In the midst of the scuffle, a court employee was injured when she was hit by a rock. The nature of this "shock group"—civilians, some with their faces covered and acting in a coordinated manner—suggests that their intervention was not spontaneous, but a deliberate action to confront the strikers, raising serious questions about who is behind this violence and their interests.

Following the incident, and with the arrival of elements of the Secretariat of Citizen Security (SSC) to secure the area, the TSJCDMX workers reinstated the blockades, demonstrating their determination to continue the strike under the slogan: "The strike will not stop."

One aspect that has exacerbated the unrest and uncertainty is the apparent lack of an official position from the highest authority of the TSJCDMX. According to available reports, the president of the court has not offered any public statements regarding the attacks on his workers, nor regarding any avenues for resolving the labor dispute, which has now lasted 14 days.

"So far, the president of the Court has not made any public statements on the situation."

This silence can be interpreted as a leadership vacuum at a critical moment. The lack of clear communication and visible action by the Court's president not only hinders the search for consensual solutions, but can also erode the trust of the workers themselves and the public in the institution charged with administering justice. The responsibility for ensuring employee safety and finding a negotiated solution to the strike falls primarily on the judicial leadership.

Workers' Demands and the Origin of the Strike

It is crucial to remember that the work stoppage, which has paralyzed thousands of judicial proceedings in all jurisdictional venues in Mexico City, including the Criminal Justice Centers in prisons, was triggered by specific demands from workers: a salary increase commensurate with their duties and improvements to their general working conditions. While an initial complaint against a teacher at a Judicial Branch CENDI (Centralized Educational Center for the Protection of Children and Adolescents) may have been the trigger, the list of demands focuses on substantive labor demands.

Although the conflict is labor-related and internal to the Judiciary—an autonomous body—the escalation of violence and the paralysis of an essential public service such as the administration of justice have a direct impact on the governability and lives of Mexico City residents. Therefore, the actions (or inaction) of the Mexico City government are also under scrutiny.

The capital's authorities, through the Head of Government or the Government Secretariat, are expected to intervene as mediators to facilitate dialogue between the parties and contribute to a peaceful solution. Likewise, the SSC is responsible for maintaining public order and preventing further violence, ensuring the safety of both protesters and the general public. The political cost of a prolonged conflict with violent episodes can be significant for the local administration if there is a perceived lack of capacity to manage it properly.

The incident of violence has already begun to generate reactions in the local political arena. It has been reported that a member of parliament reported the incident, and it is likely that other voices will join in, demanding a thorough investigation to identify and, if necessary, punish the members of the "shock group" and those who may have instigated them.

Possible solutions to this crisis necessarily involve the reestablishment of effective dialogue between worker representatives and the authorities of the TSJCDMX (Central Judiciary), with the possible mediation of the local government. If a prompt solution is not found, the strike could drag on indefinitely, with serious consequences for the administration of justice and increasing strain on all parties involved.