Argentina's unions strike back: A clash over austerity cuts
The largest labour unions in Argentina initiated a 24-hour nationwide strike on Thursday against the austerity measures introduced by President Javier Milei. Trains, taxis, public schools, garbage collection services, and ports came to a standstill, and most flights were cancelled.
This marks the third general strike by Argentina's largest union federation, CGT, against Milei's decisions, who has been pursuing a widespread "chainsaw" campaign of cutting public spending since taking office in December 2023 to pull the country out of a deep financial crisis.
"After this action, they'll have to turn off the chainsaw. It's over. There's no more room for further cuts," stated Rodolfo Aguiar, president of the ATE public administration workers' union.
Communication paralysis
The strike led to significant communication disruptions, paralysing the operation of trains, taxis, and ports and disrupting air transport. Classes in public schools were cancelled, garbage collection was halted, and mail delivery was suspended, with many government offices limiting their operations.
As promised, city buses continued to run, resulting in long queues at bus stops in the Buenos Aires metropolitan area. Shops and private schools remained open.
Tensions arose on Thursday morning between protesters and the police. Officers dispersed a group of left-wing demonstrators who attempted to block traffic on the Pueyrredón Bridge, one of the main access routes to Buenos Aires.
The government strongly criticized the strike, displaying a message on railway station screens accusing union members of an "attack on the republic." "The union caste is attempting a coup against millions of Argentinians who want to work," read the statement.
Major cuts in Argentina
Milei won the 2023 election on a wave of public dissatisfaction with rampant inflation, corruption, and a deepening financial crisis. Since assuming power, he has been working to dismantle the welfare state that has been built over decades and reshape the country based on a neoliberal model.
As part of the economic "shock therapy," Milei has laid off thousands of public administration employees, dissolved several ministries and government agencies, and reduced social benefits. While the country achieved a budget surplus, it came at the cost of worsening the financial situation for many families. Retirees and pensioners felt the impact particularly acutely.
The poverty rate initially increased under Milei's administration to over 50%, but – according to official data – fell to around 38% in the second half of 2024.
