“My life is on hold”: the drama of the judicial strike

"I came running and they told me there was no service." This is the testimony of one of the thousands affected by the work stoppage in the Mexico City Judiciary, which has lasted more than two weeks. While workers demand better wages, justice for citizens is on hold.

A labor dispute has escalated into a complete paralysis of the justice system in Mexico City. Since May 29, workers at the Superior Court of Justice of Mexico City (TSJ-CDMX) have maintained an indefinite work stoppage, closing courts and suspending thousands of procedures, hearings, and rulings, leaving citizens and lawyers in legal and emotional limbo. What began as a protest over wage demands now exposes the deep cracks in an institution vital to the rule of law.

The heart of the dispute is a demand for better working conditions. The workers, who were recently joined by experts from the Attorney General's Office (FGJ) in a show of solidarity, argue that their wages are falling short of a workload they describe as "excessive."

Their specific demands point to a direct salary increase of between 7% and 12%, and a 5% increase in benefits. They argue that the minimum wage increase has been much higher and that their income does not match inflation or the responsibilities of their work.

In an attempt to resolve the conflict, judicial authorities, led by Chief Justice Rafael Guerra Álvarez, put forward an offer: a 5% salary increase, a 100-peso increase in food vouchers, and a 7,100-peso bonus for family court staff.

The workers' response was a resounding rejection. They called the offer "insufficient" and a sign that the authorities don't understand the magnitude of their demands.

"We're not obsessed... OK, you can't give us 10%, how much are you offering us? There's no dialogue. All they want is for us to open the facilities," said Erika Ojeda, a civil court worker, expressing frustration at the lack of real negotiation.

As the political and labor conflict continues, it is the citizens who pay the highest price. The strike has completely halted the judicial system, affecting cases of vital importance to people's lives.

Litigation lawyers describe the ordeal: divorce proceedings, alimony payments that can't be canceled or modified, inheritances that can't be divided, and the list goes on. "We have a hearing and suddenly the court shuts down. That delays us two or three months, depending," says a lawyer with decades of experience. For many, like lawyers who charge per case, the paralysis means no income. For citizens, it means their lives and assets are frozen indefinitely.

Negotiations are at a standstill. The workers refuse to end the strike without a clear, written counteroffer, while authorities have requested a week to conduct a budget impact analysis, a proposal that has not generated confidence among the protesters.

Tensions are growing, and clashes with suspected riot groups have even been reported. The possibility of the strike escalating into a full-blown general strike is on the table, which would further prolong the crisis and the ordeal for thousands of residents of the capital who currently view justice as a closed door.