Politics · Mexico · 3 hrs ago
Sheinbaum and 24 governors review IMSS-Bienestar as workers plan protests
Sheinbaum met 24 governors in Mexico City on October 21 to review progress on IMSS-Bienestar, the public health system being expanded in participating states.
The government says it is working toward universal, free and quality health care for people in Mexico.
Separately, dissident workers at the Mexican Social Security Institute, or IMSS, called a national march for October 22.
They rejected an 8% pay increase approved by IMSS and its union, made up of 4% in basic pay and 4% for housing assistance.
The workers want a direct 10% increase and the union leader’s removal.
They said they were not planning a national strike because it could affect patients who rely on health services.
Marches could disrupt traffic in parts of Mexico City, including several major roads named by the workers.
Claudia Sheinbaum met 24 governors on October 21 to review progress on the IMSS-Bienestar health system.
She said the government is working to build a universal, free and high-quality health system.
Dissident IMSS workers planned a national march for October 22 after rejecting an 8% pay increase approved by the institute and the union.
The workers are demanding a direct 10% increase to tabular salaries and the removal of union leader Rafael Olivos.
- Who
- Claudia Sheinbaum and the governors of 24 states reviewed IMSS-Bienestar. Dissident IMSS workers planned protests.
- What
- The officials reviewed the health system’s progress. Workers planned a national march over a rejected pay offer.
- When
- The review took place on October 21, 2026. The march was called for October 22.
- Where
- The review was held at the National Palace in Mexico City. The planned march was national.
- Why
- The officials met to review the system’s modernization. Workers opposed the proposed pay increase and demanded a higher direct salary adjustment.
Dissident IMSS workers
IMSS and the National Union of Social Security Workers (SNTSS)
Pay increase
Dissident IMSS workers
Workers rejected the approved 8% increase and demanded a direct 10% increase to tabular salaries.
IMSS and the National Union of Social Security Workers (SNTSS)
The approved proposal provided a 4% tabular increase and another 4% for housing-rent assistance.
Union leadership
Dissident IMSS workers
The dissident group called for Rafael Olivos, the union leader, to be removed.
IMSS and the National Union of Social Security Workers (SNTSS)
The article says the SNTSS approved the pay agreement; it does not state its view on the demand to remove Olivos.
Workers rejected an earlier proposal of a 6.8% pay increase.
IMSS director Zoé Robledo said the dialogue process, which excluded dissident workers, concluded that night.
The IMSS Technical Council approved a proposal consisting of a 4% tabular increase and 4% for housing-rent assistance.
Sheinbaum met 24 governors at the National Palace to review progress on IMSS-Bienestar.
Dissident IMSS workers called a national march.
- Governors at review
- 24
- Review date
- October 21, 2026
- Planned march
- October 22, 2026
- Approved pay proposal
- 4% tabular increase plus 4% for housing-rent assistance
- Workers’ demand
- Direct 10% increase to tabular salaries
- Union leader targeted by demand
- Rafael Olivos
What people are saying
They have tried to demobilize us; it is no coincidence that just on the day we are going to take to the streets they announce a conference where Zoé Robledo does this to try to demobilize us... Tomorrow the whole country will take to the streets.