The call, from Kansas City Southern de Mexico’s President President Jose Zozaya comes in the wake of KCSdeM shutdowns at least a half dozen times this past year in the Mexican state of Michoacán.
Shutdowns have affected service to the busy Pacific coast port of Lázaro Cárdenas. This includes the latest disruption of some 20 train movements during the second week of December caused by about a dozen teachers’ union members.
“We have filed complaints and believe [the protesters] will be held responsible and some will go to jail,” says Zozaya, quoted in Mexico News Daily. “Once this happens, I’m sure that they’ll stop going out to block the tracks.”
Besides other blockages of KCSM service by teachers, in 2019 there have been disruptions by student protests, and by citizen pushbacks against a criminal cartel.
Mexican federal law calls for jail sentences of from 15 days to two years for blocking tracks without inflicting damage; track blockages with damage to the tracks can net sentences of up to five years.
The most recent KCSM disruption ended when the governor of Michoacán promised teachers the equivalent of $113,000 to settle outstanding debts.
Despite negotiations with teachers, investigations of track blockages should continue, according to Zozaya. If talks reach “a happy ending,” KCSM will consider withdrawing its complaints. “But in the interim, whoever blocks railways should go to jail,” he says.
I agree, why use the RR to protest stuff like teachers wanting more money, has nothing to do with running a railroad. I can see if it is RR workers striking, but not everyone who wants something. They need jail time.
Right on, Mr. Zozaya.