Transport unions in the General Confederation of Labour (CGT) and the Confederation of Workers of Argentina (CTA), joined today’s general strike against the government's anti-labour laws.
Right-wing President Javier Milei is attempting to change 366 laws deregulating working conditions and wages, creating anti-union policies, and move to privatise public companies such as the national airline Aerolíneas Argentinas through the Decree of Necessity and Urgency (DNU).
Transport unions were at the forefront of mobilising against the DNU, with the majority of the country's trade unions from different industrial sectors joining the fight. ITF affiliates have taken legal measures to stop the labour reforms, with the Asociación del Personal Aeronáutico (APA), getting the National Labour Court of Appeals of Argentina to declare the anti-union labour chapter of the DNU unconstitutional.
In today's general strike, the second since Milei's term began, public transport services including the underground, land, rail and air were brought to a standstill. The strike will last 24 hours.
The Argentinian media, aligned with the Milei government, have responded by launching an anti-union campaign with the aim of promoting antipathy towards trade unions.
Edgar Diaz, ITF regional secretary for Latin America, commented: "The ITF condemns the statements made by the press, particularly the newspaper La Nación, which seeks to blame trade union leaders for the actions of President Milei and the irresponsibility of his government in promoting policies that will adversely affect the economic situation of thousand of families and the refusal to carry out social dialogue with workers and society in general.
"The ITF and its affiliates express our full support with Pablo Moyano, ITF Vice-Chair, and Edgardo Llano, ITF Civil Aviation President, and we will continue to accompany the struggle of our brothers and sisters in defence of their rights."
Photo: REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian
