Workers at the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) who took part in the October 14 salary consultation rejected the proposed 6.8% increase, and the National Union of Social Security Workers (SNTSS) announced it will request that negotiations with the institute resume, Aristegui Noticias reported on October 15.
The proposal combined a 2.9% increase to the base salary and 3.9% to the rent assistance benefit, according to the SNTSS. The vote was held at 670 locations and called on 476,260 active workers across the 37 union sections and the Central Module, according to Proceso's October 14 report. The Federal Center for Labor Conciliation and Registration (CFCRL) reported 282,000 voters as of the 19:00 cutoff, close to 60% of those eligible to vote. For Mexico, the outcome touches the operation of hospitals and units serving millions of beneficiaries, and opens a second stage in the 2026-2027 salary review of the collective bargaining agreement.
SNTSS general secretary Rafael Olivos Hernández acknowledged the result on October 15 and said the leadership respects the majority's decision. The rejected increase had been scheduled to take effect on October 16, and its validation required 50% plus one of the votes cast, according to El Economista. Dissident groups circulated unit-by-unit tallies: 342 votes against versus 39 in favor at unit 12, and 235 against 13 at unit 4. The dissidents called for negotiations to resume with an increase of no less than 10% and for a National Extraordinary Congress to be convened. They also reported alleged irregularities in the organization and counting, including ballots without serial numbers, while the CFCRL said it accompanied the process in line with labor legislation and under the principles of a personal, free, direct and secret vote.
The union's stated next step is to reconvene the negotiating table with the IMSS to review the proposal. El Economista notes that, should no agreement be reached, the procedure provides for a strike notice, with October 16 as the scheduled effective date for the increase.
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