Argentine Railway Workers Carry Out a Six-Hour National Strike
A train station in Argentina. X/ @adrprensa
January 28, 2025 Hour: 12:04 pm
Workers are asking for a salary increase equivalent to 10 percent of the cost of a basic food basket.
On Tuesday, the union La Fraternidad, which represents locomotive and train engineers in Argentina, called for a six-hour nationwide strike to demand better working conditions and higher wages.
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The strike, which will take place at all stations across the country from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, is being organized due to the lack of response to labor demands from both the companies and representatives of President Javier Milei’s government.
Argentine workers are asking for a salary increase equivalent to 10 percent of the cost of a basic food basket, which is around 145 dollars. This measure aims to offset the loss of real income caused by rising inflation since September 2024.
During the most recent negotiation session, the train engineers’ union failed to reach an agreement with the Argentine Railways State Company (FASE) and decided to call for a nationwide strike.
Railway workers emphasized that the proposed salary increases of 1 percent in November and 2.5 percent in December do not meet their expectations, and they demanded an offer that reflects a wage adjustment aligned with the current cost of living.
“Since last year, we have lost approximately 56% of our purchasing power. They have been deceiving us. This government is worse than the dictatorship: it does not negotiate or grant raises,” declared Omar Maturano, the secretary of La Fraternidad.
Railway workers anticipate that 2025 will bring further conflicts with the Milei administration due to wage issues and the lack of investment in passenger train maintenance.
teleSUR/ JF Sources: La Nacion – Pagina 12
