The Unión Tranviarios del Automotor (UTA) Chaco announced a bus strike in Greater Resistencia starting this Thursday at 00:00, due to the failure to fully pay salaries in metropolitan area companies. The union's general secretary, Raúl Abraham, confirmed the action amid ongoing debts covering about 50% of wages. The dispute affects both urban and interurban services in a region facing structural vulnerabilities in transportation.
The Unión Tranviarios del Automotor (UTA) Chaco confirmed the suspension of bus services in Greater Resistencia for this Thursday, starting at 00:00. The action stems from salary non-compliance by metropolitan system companies, where about 50% of outstanding wages remain unpaid.
Raúl Abraham, the union's general secretary, stated that workers demand full payment to meet urgent financial obligations. “Los trabajadores quieren cobrar todo junto porque tienen compromisos. Hay alquileres, intereses y obligaciones. Es una situación muy difícil”, Abraham said.
The claim primarily involves TCM and Ersa firms, which underwent a preventive crisis procedure months ago. During that time, from September to November, a temporary basic salary reduction from 1,300,000 to 1,200,000 pesos was agreed to prevent layoffs. Later, a mixed scheme was set: 1,200,000 pesos remunerative plus 100,000 pesos non-remunerative, paid on the 18th of each month.
However, in January, the companies paid only one million pesos, citing financial difficulties. Abraham also noted suspensions in both companies and, after negotiations, the advancement of vacations to address prolonged income shortages.
The union waited until Wednesday for full payment, but with no progress, it enacted the strike halting urban and interurban transport. This dispute occurs amid structural fragility in Greater Resistencia's transport system, characterized by declining ridership, rising operational costs, and demands over subsidy schemes.
