Subte strike hits Buenos Aires: What's happening and why?

Commuters in Buenos Aires are facing yet another disruption to their travel plans as metro workers stage a strike this Friday. Following closely on the heels of a general strike that crippled the city's subway system, this new action is already generating significant debate and frustration. Let's delve into the details of what's happening, the reasons behind it, and the reactions it's provoking.

The Details of the Strike

According to Clarín (2024), the strike is set to take place today, with all lines and the Premetro affected. The action is slated to occur between 2 PM and 3 PM, causing considerable disruption during peak afternoon hours. This follows a general strike led by the CGT, which also shut down the subway system, leaving many residents stranded.

Why are the Metro Workers Striking?

The metro workers' union, AGTSyP, is calling this strike a measure of «self-defense» against what they perceive as attempts at outsourcing within the subway system. The union claims that the company is engaging in the «fraudulent» hiring of personnel, specifically alleging that workers are being brought in under the guise of security staff while actually performing duties equivalent to Station Assistants and other roles covered by the collective agreement. The union asserts that these new hires are violating established labor norms. They claim to have filed complaints with the City's Labor Secretariat after detecting the incorporation of workers “under the false form of security personnel who actually perform tasks equivalent to Station Assistant and other positions framed in the collective agreement”.

The AGTSyP has made it clear that it «will not accept illegal hiring» within the subway and Premetro system, as stated by Clarín (2024). While apologizing for the inconvenience, the union is urging users to support their cause against what they view as violations of existing regulations.

The Response from Authorities and Emova

The response to the strike has been swift and critical. Buenos Aires City Mayor Jorge Macri has labeled the strike as «inexplicable.» He took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his frustration, stating, «We reinforced security in the subway so that passengers travel more safely, and the metro delegates respond with a strike that messes up the lives of thousands of people.» His message also included political jabs, suggesting the strike was politically motivated, stating: «It seems that Kirchnerism has already started the campaign.» Macri has threatened legal action if the metro delegates do not call off the strike, demonstrating the severity of the city government's stance.

Emova, the concessionaire of the subway service, has also vehemently condemned the strike. In a statement, Emova expressed that it «repudiates the announcement made by the Association of Subway and Premetro Workers (AGTSyP) of a strike for this Friday.» They emphasize that the action «directly harms thousands of users» and those who need to travel throughout the City. The company maintains that the security personnel in question have a specific and temporary role. It also ensures that this personnel doesn't replace or interfere with the tasks performed by Emova's staff and that their function is to provide support, collaborating in this way in the protection of those who transit and work in the Subte.

What's Next?

As the strike proceeds, commuters are advised to check the status of the service on Emova's website (www.emova.com.ar), call the Customer Service Center (0800-333-6682), or consult the company's social media channels.

Looking Ahead

The underlying issues of labor practices and outsourcing within the Buenos Aires subway system remain unresolved. Whether a compromise can be reached or further disruptions are on the horizon remains to be seen.

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