Moyano battle: Caught between scandal and government attack

Internal problems in the truck drivers union have settled. The union, which Hugo Moyano has dominated without opposition for 38 years, is experiencing its most sensitive moment in years, with irreconcilable factions and troubled rules. Added to this complex scene is an additional challenge: how to survive under a government that keeps this in mind and seeks to reduce funds by reforming the work it is working to develop.

For the first time since 1987, when he became general secretary, Moyano sees his authority within the union structure weakened. That he lost control of the people who were always in his shadow. He does not say this publicly, but he expresses his fear of the mere possibility of being overthrown.

In this context, the list of the Patriarch’s confrontations begins with his son Pablo, the former president of the CGT and deputy secretary of the current organization that he heads. Although he currently has no influence on the federation’s decisions and spends his days dedicated to managing Camioneros Football Club. The last conversation between father and son, in July of this year, was harsh and the tone was high.

This is mainly because the former trade union leader, true to his style, did not back down from anything and berated the union leader over the truckers’ news. Starting with the parities that Hugo negotiates at around 1%, which does not comply with the rules, which is less than the monthly inflation calculated by the INDEC index. The lack of renewal of the leadership was another issue that Pablo did not hesitate to ask about, and he did not forget to mention what is happening with the social work, OSCHOCA, which is hampered by debts and the lack of existing internal debate.

The lack of combat in the joint negotiations is surprising to many who walk the halls of the union located at 1700 San Jose Street. Under all governments, the union has fought for salary increases and has not accepted any kind of ceiling when it comes to renegotiating salary increases. The truth is that the Moyano family’s statements in recent years still remind us of the demand for increases and bonuses and the threat to “stop the country.”

Today, the reality has become completely different since Camioneros joined the common 1% ceiling imposed by the Ministry of Economy headed by Luis Caputo. A decision that Pablo does not forgive and notices what he feels in the pocket of rules with which he is still in contact. The leader said on one occasion: “This is how we will go to hell.”

The salary situation of many branches is so critical that they do not rule out leaving the union to which they belong, as is the case with Coca-Cola employees. Critical messages from many workers on official social networks, with embedded videos, are also part of the climate of the time. Marcelo Aparicio, secretary of the union, number three in the structure and representative of the waste collection branch, also depicts a very precise panorama.

As for politics and much of the union work, Aparicio’s personality inspires respect because he is known as a talker and a man who knows how to smooth over disagreements behind closed doors, living with Pablo and Hugo in peace.

But the president removed Aparicio from making decisions because of possible budget irregularities at the hotel the union owns in Mar del Plata. What Hugo did not factor in his decision was that Fucho, as Aparicio is known, owns the entire bank and waste collection staff branch.

His history with activism, his empathy and his knowledge of all delegates make him essential for calming or increasing conflicts or holding assemblies. Without Aparicio, Moyano has lost a key link in the region and he feels it today. Even before his people, he was demanding his presence these days. Fuzhou still hopes that the phone carrying the leader’s voice will become a reality.

Union sources also added, with concern, that the president learned of the violent fighting that took place between two factions, one belonging to Pablo and the other following his younger son Geronimo, in an internal soccer tournament. Pictures of the confrontation spread widely. But the Secretary-General’s response was as follows: “Nothing happened. These are temporary matters.” They say that there were delegates who wanted to see him in person and he did not want to receive them.

Meanwhile, Octavio Arguello, Moyano’s man in CGT, is gaining fame. However, it has a major drawback for many workers: although it has the trust of the Patriarch, it does not have the support of the grassroots, many of whom take photos and demand an active and complete return of Pablo.

This film does not go unnoticed by the government. He calmly watches the scenes and devotes himself to expressing that with the labor legislation amendment project that he is preparing, the financing mechanisms for truck drivers will change radically. They say this by showing a double entry table in which you can see how each employee takes a salary deduction of 3% of his salary as solidarity contribution and the item that others take is 4%. This annual contribution, in millions of dollars, is estimated at approximately $159 million. Federico Sturzenegger, the minister of deregulation, has already warned that this source “cannot exist anymore.”

November 28: Trucking Conference

Amid the internal strife rocking the union, the National Federation of Truck Drivers will meet on November 28 in a conference to discuss various issues. The fear is that internal disputes will break out on a crucial day for the union’s collective work. Among the issues that will be discussed, the previous year’s report and budget will be put to a vote, and there will be a vote to determine the union’s powers until 2029, and the political situation will also be put on the discussion tables. According to what has been revealed, different representatives of the union will explain what happened to transport policies under Javier Miley and what impact it will have on employees. In addition, the payroll and employment situation will be discussed after the 3.3% parity close through November.

The idea of ​​requesting an annual bonus will be another topic of discussion. In this context, the union warns that the internal conflict they are experiencing and the differing positions of the factions may emerge during the day.