Streets were barricaded and rallies took place in opposition to the new tax. University students from UNAM have joined in the protests as have several Mexican unions. Up until now food and medicine had been exempt from taxation. Since the 1970s the purchasing power of workers in Mexico has been steadily declining. It is now 20 percent lower than in 1974.
Many families are barely able to make ends meet.
Members of the Washington State Federation of State Employees struck selected state agencies last week to pressure the legislature for higher salaries and a cap on employee-paid health costs. It was the first ever strike by the 19,000-member union. Washington's Democratic governor, Gary Locke, called the walkouts illegal and said he would seek a court injunction if state services were affected. The governor has proposed raises of 2.2 percent for the first year and 2.5 percent the next year. The state legislature adjourned April 22 without acting on the union's demands.