Judicial Branch workers’ strike extends until October

PJ strike extends to October 2

Although protests in the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies by workers of the Judiciary ceased this week, the work stoppage that began a month ago and which until a few days ago was still in limbo as to whether it would continue or not, will continue until October 2.

On Wednesday, September 18, the Plenary Session of the Federal Judicial Council (CJF) reported that work would resume on Monday, September 23, however, no agreement was reached to do so.

Following the announcement that the suspension of cases pending in the jurisdictional bodies would be lifted next Monday, employees of the Judiciary demonstrated this week in front of the building of this federal body.

The workers claimed that they were not consulted in the decision-making process, and for this reason, a roundtable discussion was held on Friday between workers, union leaders, judges and magistrates with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) and head of the CJF, Norma Piña.

Following the meeting, it was agreed that the suspension of activities in courts and tribunals will continue at least until October 2, one day after the inauguration of President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo.

Norma Piña consults the Court

On Friday, September 20, the SCJN also reported that Chief Justice Norma Piña submitted to the Plenary Session of the Supreme Court of the country the review of at least four constitutional controversies filed against the Judicial Reform.

On September 11, 17 and 18, 2024, the Court received four briefs submitted by heads of District Courts and Circuit Collegiate Courts, as well as Court Secretaries, related to the recent constitutional reform in the area of ​​the Judiciary.

The documents “essentially ask whether any of the procedures provided for in the Organic Law of the Judicial Branch of the Federation, including, among others, Section XXII of Article 11, which refers to the resolution of conflicts arising from contracts or contractual obligations involving the Supreme Court or the Judicial Council, are suitable for reviewing the constitutionality of the legislative procedure or the content of these reforms.”

Since there was no clarity on how to proceed with these requests, the President of the Supreme Court decided to consult the Full Court.

Thus, Minister Juan Luis González Alcántara Carrancá (consultation for processing 4/2024) and Minister Yasmín Esquivel Mossa (5/2024, 6/2024 and 7/2024) must prepare various proposals on the procedure that the presidency of the SCJN must give to each request.

This brings the total to at least four consultations that Minister Norma Piña has opened among the ministers of the Court to determine whether or not the implementation of the Judicial Reform can be halted.