César Arellano García and Iván Evair Saldaña
The newspaper La Jornada
Tuesday, August 20, 2024, p. 4
The strike by workers of the Federal Judicial Branch (PJF) generated controversy among its members. While the Workers’ Union (STPJF) suggested to its members that if there is no suspension of activities from the employers (owners or the Federal Judicial Council), they should not start it, because this would make it difficult to defend themselves in the event of being sanctioned by the judicial body, the National Association of Circuit Magistrates and District Judges of the Judicial Branch (Jufed), hours before announcing that it will stop its activities on Wednesday, expressed solidarity with the strikers.
For its part, the Federal Public Defender’s Institute (IFDP) stated that there is a a huge debt
in terms of justice, and expressed his concern about the effects that the proposed reform to the PJF could have on the right of access to justice for people in the most vulnerable situations.
The right of access to justice necessarily implies that all legal conflicts, from the most everyday to the most complex, are resolved by impartial judges with solid legal training, who do not respond to economic or political interests. That is why the selection and permanence process of judges cannot be subject to campaign promises, or to the popularity of their decisions.
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She added that she will be following the legislative process that the reform initiative will follow, always with the commitment to ensure free, quality and specialized public defense services for the people who need them most.
In light of the suspension of work called by employees of federal jurisdictional bodies, we express that we respect their legitimate expressions, while it is our responsibility to guarantee the continuity of our services to users in person at the headquarters building and its branches.
The Jufed supported the workers of the country’s circuits who suspended work, demanding that the judicial reform be stopped, which the majority in the Chamber of Deputies intends to process
. He stressed the importance of this initiative, given the serious implications it has for the judicial career, judicial independence and the country’s democracy, being processed in a calm manner and through a frank and transparent dialogue that allows for the construction of a comprehensive reform of justice at all levels, which has been demanded, he said, by citizens.
In the face of the narrative that seeks to diminish the will and capacity of action of PJF workers to express their demand for rights, accusing them of being manipulative, Jufed salutes the independence with which it acts and denies any manipulation.
The STPJF recommended that anyone who does not agree with such a suspension of activities and does not wish to participate, but is ordered by the employer and is forced to become involved in security guards with threats of salary deductions and/or to cover excessive hours and/or to be assigned to a different administrative body or unit, may report it to said union representation in order to proceed as appropriate, with the assurance, the union indicated, that secrecy will be maintained.
The union added that it is prepared to advise, through the sectional secretaries, union office managers of section one and/or the national leadership itself, any person affiliated to this representation who requires support through simple guidance and even legal advice. Just make sure you have your latest pay stub at hand.
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