SAT Workers Stage Nationwide Strike Over Pay, Labor Conditions

Employees of Mexico’s Tax Administration Service (SAT) staged a national strike on Tuesday, halting operations in several offices to demand overdue salary increases, improved working conditions, and recognition of their labor organization.

The action was called by the Coalition of Operational Workers of the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit and Decentralized Agencies (COTRA HOD), which urged employees to suspend work indefinitely, according to Expansión. “This measure is being carried out in response to the authority’s persistent omission to establish definitive commitments regarding our labor rights,” says the coalition in a statement.

Protests took place across multiple states, including Mexico City, Baja California, Queretaro, Guanajuato, and Jalisco. According to the SAT, three offices — Distrito Federal 3 in Mexico City, Queretaro 1, and Guadalajara Sur — remained temporarily closed. The agency advised taxpayers with scheduled appointments to visit other offices or modules to receive service by presenting their appointment confirmation.

The demonstrations mark the second nationwide work stoppage in less than a month. On Oct. 14, employees held an “arms-down” protest to denounce deteriorating working conditions, unpaid overtime, excessive workloads, and a lack of adequate infrastructure. Workers reported shifts exceeding 14 hours and limited access to necessary equipment.

COTRA HOD, which has sought formal recognition from the government, claims its eight-point petition submitted in October remains unanswered, says the association in a press release. Key demands include a retroactive salary increase, adjustments to work schedules, payment for overtime, and the reinstatement of the individualized separation insurance and major medical expenses insurance, both of which were eliminated in 2018. The absence of these benefits, they argue, leaves employees without proper severance compensation in case of resignation.

Demonstrators also raised concerns about unequal treatment between unionized staff and trust employees, and the lack of institutional support for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

President Claudia Sheinbaum states that the situation was under control. “They are being attended to by the head of the SAT and the Ministry of Labor. There are few workers making this claim, but all are being assisted. It is not something that will cause a major problem,” she states.

Despite official assurances, workers signaled that the strike will continue until their demands are met, underscoring persistent tensions within one of Mexico’s key revenue institutions.