Claudia Sheinbaum emulated President Andrés Manuel López Obrador in her relationship with the neocharrismo labor movement and attended the XV National Congress of CATEM as a special guest, where she was even welcomed with a new corrido performed by mariachis. In 2022, the Tabasco native was a “special guest” at the Mexico City Arena for a congress of the Autonomous Confederation of Workers and Employees of Mexico (CATEM), led by the former PRI member and controversial labor leader Pedro Haces.
That year, the labor center, which weakened the ranks of the veteran CTM and CROC, proudly claimed to have more than two million members in 1,174 affiliated unions.
Now, this labor arm of Morena, founded 15 years ago, claims to have about 7 million union members in 1,192 labor organizations across various sectors. Just like in 2022, Claudia Sheinbaum, the 4T presidential candidate, was the special guest at this central’s Ordinary National Congress, which showered her with praise.
“Thank you, Dr. Claudia Sheinbaum, for sharing some of your time. You first governed my homeland, of which I am a proud Tlalpan native, then governed this city where we are now, and you will see what will happen very soon, an exceptional woman, thank you very much, dear friend,” said Haces.
Sheinbaum responded to the labor leader’s welcome with the formal announcement of a coalition with this labor center.
“Next Monday, we will start the formal pre-campaign process for the Presidency of the Republic, and I want to invite you to join us in this process. I commit to the workers to continue defending wages and labor benefits, because we know that if workers are well, business and Mexico are also well,” announced the Morena member.
“The path is to walk together. Thank you, Senator Pedro,” concluded Sheinbaum.
Suddenly, the mariachi appeared and announced a corrido dedicated by Haces and Senator Ricardo Monreal.
The singer knelt and took off his hat. Sheinbaum made a hand gesture asking him to stand up.
Shortly after, the singer got confused, saying that the presidential candidate was Mayor and Senator.
“Oh no, Governor,” he corrected himself.
Upon entering the Mexico City Arena, the CATEM organizers played Luis Miguel’s song “México en la Piel” three times for Claudia Sheinbaum, while she greeted the delegates of the expanding labor center.
On stage, Haces raised the hand of the former Head of Government.
Despite the traditional turnout, the venue, with a capacity for 22,500 people, had empty spots in the VIP area in front of the main table.
The cheers of those present focused on exalting their states.
“Puebla, Puebla”; “Hidalgo, Hidalgo”…
This shouting contest animated the environment for a few moments.
Those near the main table began shouting “Presidenta,” “Presidenta” to balance things out.
There, Sheinbaum was supported by the national leader of Morena, Mario Delgado; the governors of Michoacán, Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla; Nayarit, Miguel Ángel Navarro; and Puebla, Salomón Céspedes.
Additionally, the governors of Quintana Roo and Baja California, Mara Lezama and Marina del Pilar Ávila, respectively, were present.
Also attending were Senator and Haces’ compadre, Ricardo Monreal, and “his brother,” Higinio Martínez from the State of Mexico.
Representatives of companies building the Maya Train, such as Mota-Engil and ICA, as well as Haces’ friends from the Business Coordinating Council and Concanaco, also participated.
Haces thanked each guest for their presence and then highlighted López Obrador’s actions.
“Today we have to celebrate the historic minimum wage increases. Until this term, true and real increases were made, not crumbs like in other governments. In 2019, it increased by 16%; in 2020, it jumped to 20%; in 2021, the increase was 15%; in 2022, it was 22%; and in 2023, the increase was 20%. Thus, the minimum wage rose from 88.33 to 207.44 pesos in 5 years,” he explained.
With these numbers, Haces urged the businessmen present to ensure a “good raise” next year.
“Paco, don’t play dumb,” he said, turning to the stage.
“Let a good salary increase come for everyone, and I want to say loud and clear, we owe all this to a man committed to his nation and working class and also to the business class, the man who gave true direction to Mexico’s labor life, and here, from this podium, I reiterate my affection and highest recognition to the President of all Mexicans, Andrés Manuel López Obrador,” exclaimed the labor leader.
“The old disputes between the government and unionism are behind us (…) we have cleaned up unionism,” Haces added.
He also reaffirmed his commitment to the 4T and Claudia Sheinbaum.
“It is time for women, because women are more incredible,” shouted the Tlalpan native.
CATEM also thanked the labor reform promoted by López Obrador.
In response to this gesture, Sheinbaum received a set of CATEM committees in defense of the 4T.
“That is why we will also organize committees in defense of the Fourth Transformation within CATEM. I inform this Congress that we will form committees in all 32 states, 1,200 at the municipal level, and more than 10,000 across the country. We ask you to go to your workplaces to defend the transformation; we ask our guest Claudia Sheinbaum to swear in our first committee coordinators,” announced Erick Osorio Medina, president of CATEM Querétaro and secretary of organization, at the event.
Monreal took the floor.
“Thank you, Senator Pedro, for inviting Claudia, and to her for inviting me,” said Monreal, who praised the process that propelled Sheinbaum as the 4T candidate for the presidency in 2024.
“It was a legitimate process, a unique and extraordinary process,” declared the Zacatecan, who reminded that CATEM has an indestructible pact and alliance with López Obrador.
“And now the pact, the alliance, must be made with Dr. Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo,” responded Monreal, who even promoted Haces’ book, on sale for 400 pesos in the lobby of the Arena.
Applause came from those near the stage, but there were also boos from the stands.
“For free!” “He hasn’t read it!” “Get off the stage!” could be heard from groups from Querétaro, the State of Mexico, and Hidalgo.
CATEM projected a video in which Haces showed his work in the country, with workers and Morena governors.
But in the images, he also appeared with PAN member Maru Campos, governor of Chihuahua, and former Tamaulipas governor Francisco García Cabeza de Vaca.
The organizer shook his head negatively.
But the recording ended with two photos of Haces. One with López Obrador and another with Sheinbaum.
Mario Delgado closed the CATEM proceedings, with the Arena already half empty.
Before Sheinbaum’s arrival, about 15 speakers participated in the labor center’s activities, highlighting modern unionism and the expansion of this center even in gig work.
Participants were treated to a mini Guelaguetza, mariachi music, and a Juan Gabriel impersonator.
And to keep the bases energized, rounds of tamales, water, and T-shirts with CATEM’s initials were abundantly provided.
“But cheer for Claudia, okay?” the eager CATEM members transported by bus were warned.
“They’re escaping!” they shouted to Juvenal Reyes, CATEM secretary in Quintana Roo.
Reyes ran after three women who claimed they were looking for food.
“We’re already hungry,” said one of them.
“No, no, we have to go in now, we will give something inside (the Arena), line up,” ordered the regional leader. Pedro Haces Pedro Haces
