Marching Off, Stage Left

For reasons we could debate, Latin American teachers' unions appear to often be wildly, inordinately far-left. Perhaps it's the mixture of a truly proletarian labor force with a level of intellectualism not often found among mine or factory workers.

One of the most surreal incidents I've experienced in my years in Latin America was an interview with a teachers' union official in La Paz, Bolivia. The woman had just returned from a union conference, and described to me the debates there: It was the Trotskyites vs. the Stalinists. (She was one of the Trotskyites.)

I left the interview wondering which decade I was in.

I felt the same way today when I passed these red communist flags carried by striking teachers. The teachers' demands are pretty standard: higher wages and benefits. Those won't require a revolution, which isn't likely to occur anytime soon, in any case.

'Let's go UPN.' The Union Patriotica Nacional is a far

The teachers' march on Carrera Septima.

By Mike Ceaser, of Bogotá Bike Tours

The Teachers' March

High school teachers, and some university professors, are on strike these days, demanding increased pay and benefits and an end to teacher evaluations.

Despite their vital work for society, teachers have relatively low pay and social status in many nations. And, for better or for worse, market forces play little role in fixing their salaries and work conditions.

These folks were marching this afternoon along Calle 26 near the Universidad Nacional.

By Mike Ceaser, of Bogotá Bike Tours

Scenes from Today's Protest March

Marching schoolteachers fill Seventh Ave. 

I'd heard that today's protest was to be by teachers. But, as always seems to happen, lots of other groups leapt in. The most colorful, in appearance at least, were the bicitaxistas. These guys carry people for short distances in their pedicabs and so provide an excellent, inexpensive service that doesn't pollute and reduces traffic congestion. 

Colorful pedicabs on Plaza Bolivar.

But, bicitaxis are actually illegal - a situation supported by the drivers of regular, carbon-powered taxis, which do pollute and do cause lots of congestion, but see the pedicabs as competition. Today, the bicitaxistas protested against police harrasment and even confistication of their vehicles. It's a classic case of powerful vested interests blocking a better solution.

Protesters carry a Colombian flag.

Pedicabs in front of the Justice Palace.

A local government office, still decorated by paint balls from last year's protests.

Red students. 

No to the justice reform.

Riot police wait. The protest was mostly peaceful, and they didn't have much to do. 

By Mike Ceaser, of Bogotá Bike Tours