In open opposition to the government-sponsored labor reform, which the ruling party plans to give half-vote to in the Senate next week, the CGT will once again take center stage, staging a mobilization in the Plaza de Mayo that is shaping up to be one of the most eventful of the year.
The call was explicitly directed against the official draft law and will bring together not only the hard core of traditional unionism, but also a wide range of social organizations, state unions, sectors of Kirchnerism and expressions of the left.
While fine-tuning the final details of the mobilization this Wednesday, senior Cegetista leaders made special efforts to set up the security operation with the aim of preventing intrusions or acts of violence during the protest.
In this sense, the leadership of the Center warned the government in a statement that “the right to demonstrate is a constitutional and democratic guarantee that must be respected and protected by the authorities.”
From the leadership of the CGT itself, which leads the triumvirate made up of Cristian Jerónimo, Jorge Sola and Octavio Argüello, they explained that the central commitment of the main trade union center is to carry out a vigorous demonstration of force, with a mobilization that, according to their estimate, will include more than 100,000 demonstrators.
To do this, they have not only the structure of the confederate unions – even the UTA bus drivers, distant from the Cegetista leadership, committed to their participation – but also the support of social movements and a political agreement with the PJ mayors, concluded on Monday at a meeting at the workers’ union headquarters. In addition, the governor of the province of Buenos Aires, Axel Kicillof, will mobilize from Right to the Future.
The march is led by the CGT leadership, which, after weeks of internal debates, pressure from its base and demands from the most militant unions, has decided to restart the streets initiative. The rejection of the changes in the labor regime – which the executive presents as a modernization of the labor market – served as a unifying axis of a protest that aims to demonstrate political strength in front of the Casa Rosada.
CGT march and ATE national strike: when does it start this Thursday, December 18th?
The ATE mobilization towards Plaza de Mayo will start this Thursday, December 18, at 1:00 p.m. from Diagonal Norte and San Martín. Meanwhile, the CGT did not announce the starting points but said the rally was scheduled for 3 p.m. in front of the Casa Rosada.
The demonstration will affect various sectors of the country. In addition, public administration will suspend its services during the day.
The two CTAs announced their support for the mobilization called by the CGT. “All to Plaza de Mayo. Against the labor reform of the Milei government and its political and business allies. In defense of a country with decent work, protection and social justice for all,” said the Autonomous CTA, declaring itself in a state of permanent mobilization.
The Union of Workers of the Popular Economy (UTEP), the Confederation of Education Workers (CTERA) and the Union of Delivery Workers by Application (SiTraRepa) are also joining the march.
On this day, starting at noon, there will be staggered concentrations in different parts of the city of Buenos Aires. From 1 p.m., the CGT unions, together with Sutna and Ademys, will gather directly in the Plaza de Mayo. The Right to the Future Movement (NDF), led by Buenos Aires Governor Axel Kicillof, will meet from 2 p.m. on Avenida de Mayo and Tacuarí. He is accompanied by his most important officials and mayors.
The Federation of University Teachers (FEDUN) will meet from 1:30 p.m. on Avenida Belgrano and Piedras, while the UOCRA will do so from 10:30 a.m. on Avenida Belgrano at 6:00 p.m. On Avenida de Mayo and Avenida 9 de Julio, one of the main concentration points, the Union of Workers of the National Economy (UTEP) meets from 12 p.m., the Basic Union of Sales Workers on Request (SiTraRepa) from 2 p.m. SATSAID from 2:30 p.m., Libres del Sur from 1:00 p.m., Argentine Association of Merchant Marine Employees (AAEMM) from 2:00 p.m., Column of PJ and CGT of La Matanza from 2:00 p.m. and Column of Mayors of the Suburbs of Buenos Aires from 1:00 p.m.
The Sanitary Works union will have twelve members concentrated in Defensa and Hipólito Yrigoyen. In Diagonal Sur and Alsina, UPCN will do this from 12 p.m. and the Truckers’ Union from 12.30 p.m. The Argentine Association of Transport Workers (CATT) gathers its columns from 1:30 p.m. at Julio A. Roca 738.
The banking association meets at 2 p.m. at the doors of the Union, Sarmiento 341.
Left-wing organizations, including the Polo Obrero and the Partido Obrero, will gather at Carlos Pellegrini and Perón from 1 p.m. The toll workers gathered in SUTPA will do so from 12 in Chacabuco and Diagonal Sur, while the State Workers Association (ATE) – which will also carry out a strike – and the two CTAs from 12 will meet in Esmeralda and Diagonal Norte.
The Automotive Tram Union (UTA) meets in Presidente Luis Sáenz Peña and Avenida de Mayo from 12:30 p.m., and the Metallurgical Workers Union (UOM) meets in Alsina and Bolívar from 12:00 p.m.
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