Argentina Unionized metalworkers strike nationwide

The Metallurgical Workers' Union (UOM) in Argentina is holding on Wednesday the first of three strikes planned for this month to demand decent wages to face the complex economic scenario.

Given the repeated failure to reach an agreement with the business sectors and the economic scenario the country is going through, the UOM Executive Board calls for continuing the National Struggle Plan in three stages of union action to achieve the recovery and reestablishment of a fair wage, states a press release from that organization.

Wednesday’s strike will last 24 hours. It will follow a 48-hour strike on March 13-14 and a 72-hour strike on March 19-20-21.

The slogan of the protests is “Dignity First.”

The UOM members believe that the payments received so far are below the cost of the basic food basket and are insufficient to face the existing high inflation.

They are also concerned about the significant price surge and the constant erosion of workers’ purchasing power.

After taking office in December 2023, Javier Milei, leader of La Libertad Avanza (Liberty Advances-LLA) party, implemented an adjustment plan that included a 118 percent devaluation of the peso, severe cuts, and the elimination of subsidies and public works, among other measures that aggravated the situation of the laborers.