Cristian Geronimo, Co-Secretary General of the CGT, today reiterated the trade union’s position not to support labor reform which it considers “reactionary” and denounced a “lack of will” on the part of the government to convene a negotiating zone.
“Until the government comes together and builds a framework for negotiation with the part that represents the interests of the world of work, we will not agree to any reactionary reform,” said the leader, who is also president of the Glass Federation (SEIVARA).
In statements to the press, Geronimo denied the idea of opposing CGT without knowing the content of the reform. According to Noticias Argentinas, the leader explained that the information they have about the repair points comes from “law firms in the business sector.”
He said, “They are completely reactionary (the points promoted by the government) and we believe that they do not accompany what the government is supposed to be betting on, which is promoting job growth while integrating formal work.”
In addition, he expressed the union center’s concern about the current economic situation, and noted: “What we are witnessing in recent days contradicts that. There are closing companies, losing jobs, and we are at a critical moment in Argentine industry.”
He stressed that “the decline in manufacturing that Argentina is suffering from today is worrying” and attributed it to the “deep recession and lack of consumption” affecting small and medium-sized companies. “We believe we can contribute to the discussion. One thing is clear, which is that the world of work as we knew it has changed,” he said, noting that the possibility of creating “certain forms or a certain system through which workers can be formally integrated” must be addressed.
However, he highlighted the importance of collective bargaining agreements as “a tool and tool that has worked so far very well,” and cited as “successful” examples of agreements concluded in the oil and automotive sectors.
Finally, Geronimo called the potential abolition of mandatory union dues a “fallacy” and emphasized that it is “a structure by the government to degrade and discredit union organizations.”