The Association of State Workers (ATE) confirmed a national strike for Tuesday in rejection of the labor reform pushed by Javier Milei's government. The action includes a march to Congress at 11 a.m. and criticizes potential cuts in public employment. The administration announced it will deduct the day from participating state employees.
The Association of State Workers (ATE) ratified its decision to hold a national strike this Tuesday, December 9, amid rising tensions with Javier Milei's government. The action aims to reject the labor reform that the Executive will push during Congress's extraordinary sessions, scheduled from December 10 to 30. According to Daniel Catalano, ATE-Capital's general secretary, the official initiative threatens 'the disappearance of the union organization' and alters collective agreements, job stability, and indemnities. 'They intend to question job stability agreements, eliminate indemnities, or force resignations in some sectors to rehire,' Catalano stated on Splendid AM 990.
The strike will proceed regardless of an agreement with the CGT, though discussions occurred with the CTAs led by Hugo Yasky and Hugo Godoy. In Buenos Aires, workers will gather in front of Congress at 11 a.m., with departures from workplaces starting at 10:30. Rodolfo Aguiar, ATE's general secretary, will lead the march and targeted provincial governors, calling them 'primary accomplices' of the project. 'Governors are necessary participants in the greatest attack on labor rights in democracy,' Aguiar stated, warning of potential mobilizations in their districts.
Another key demand is addressing the 'salary emergency' in the public sector, with a 33% loss in purchasing power over 23 months, and opposition to a 10% cut in the state workforce, particularly in decentralized agencies like INDEC, CONICET, and ANSES. Aguiar deemed this measure 'illegal' after Congress rejected deregulation decrees. The government responded by announcing deductions for participants, while ensuring essential services, such as hospital emergencies, remain operational. 'Whenever we strike in a public hospital, we don't stop attending emergencies,' Catalano assured, in line with standard health sector protocols.
This protest highlights the unions' hardening stance against the Casa Rosada's proposed more flexible labor framework, which impacts collective and individual rights.