Tentative accord reached in Oaxaca strike

MEXICO CITY — Striking teachers and leftist activists reached a tentative agreement with the federal government to end a five-month teachers strike in the state of Oaxaca and lift the blockades that have paralyzed the state capital and shut down much of the region's tourism.

The agreement, negotiated late Monday by federal Interior Minister Carlos Abascal, must be submitted to rank-and-file teachers and activists for their approval. It would authorize federal authorities to take control of the Oaxaca state police force, and several top Oaxaca state security officials would resign.

The protesters dropped a demand for the immediate resignation of state Gov. Ulises Ruiz, who striking teachers and activists say is corrupt.

"We will continue to seek the departure of Mr. Ruiz by institutional means," Enrique Rueda, a leader of the teachers union, told reporters in Mexico City after the negotiations with Abascal had concluded.

The protests have seen Oaxaca state's capital become home to street battles, with activists meting out street justice against perceived enemies and gunmen opening fire on the activists. It began in May with striking teachers demanding pay increases and evolved into a mass movement demanding that Ruiz step down.

When Ruiz ordered police to clear the city center of protesters in June, public opinion turned sharply against him. Farm groups and leftist activists joined the teachers protest. City Hall and many other government buildings were shut down. The demonstrators occupied Oaxaca city's central square and periodically closed off the city's airport.

On Sept. 24, the U.S. Embassy issued the latest in a series of travel advisories to American tourists, warning of "increasingly violent demonstrations" in Oaxaca that have led to at least two fatalities.

Under the proposed agreement, 18 arrested teachers and activists would be released and arrest warrants against 300 more activists would be rescinded.

Reyes Tamez, minister of public education with the national government, said Tuesday that the state of Oaxaca's 1.2 million students could return to classes by Monday.

Teachers in Oaxaca are among the lowest paid in Mexico, earning $400 to $600 a month. Oaxaca state officials have agreed to grant teachers a pay increase significantly larger than the 7 percent nationwide increase granted to Mexico's public-school teachers earlier this year.

Negotiators said the agreement might be presented to the organizations' rank and file as early as Saturday.