Buenos Aires, Oct 30 (EFE).- The city of Buenos Aires woke up this Wednesday with long lines at bus stops, the only means of transportation that operates in the Argentine capital due to a 24-hour strike that affects bus workers. planes, trains, capital metro (Subte) and taxis.
“I have coordinated with a neighbor to go to work in his car,” explains to EFE Erika, a woman who lives in a suburb of the capital and goes to work every day in the center of the capital, which means, in her case, traveling more than 20 kilometers.
Those who have been able to organize with relatives are reaching their jobs, but those who depend on public rail transport and live in the peripheries are experiencing difficulties reaching their destination.
For this reason, many workers have not gone to their jobs, as several affected people have confirmed to EFE.
«People who live far away and don’t have a car are staying at home, they are not going to work. Without trains you cannot access the capital,” said a Buenos Aires citizen.
In the city of Buenos Aires only urban buses (collectives) operate, which is why the lines since dawn are being the dominant note on this day of strike, which the bus drivers will join tomorrow if they do not reach an agreement with the the authorities.
The strikers ask for decent wages, job improvements and, above all, they protest against the cuts by the Government of Javier Milei.
The co-head of the General Workers’ Union (CGT) and general secretary of the Truckers’ Union, Pablo Moyano, stated on Tuesday that this strike “is going to be the beginning of something much more important,” in statements to the AM750 radio station.
Who is on strike?
The railway unions, which represent train and subway workers, are on strike, so there are no passenger, cargo and merchandise services on this route.
In the airline sector, the Association of Airline Pilots of Argentina (APLA) and the Argentine Association of Aeronauts (AAA), which brings together cabin crew, have joined the strike.
This action has affected around 30,000 passengers. Consequently, Aeroparque, the airport located in the Argentine capital, is deserted due to an almost total absence of activity.
Many flights have been diverted to the Ezeiza International Airport – especially from the low-cost companies Flybondi and JetSmart -, where private companies have ramp services and can thus disembark travelers, reported the TN television network.
Aerolíneas Argentinas (state company) informed its clients to be aware of changes in flight schedules and has offered to reschedule their trips without penalty.
The Truckers Union has also joined the strike, so the transport of goods has been paralyzed.
Maritime transport joined the strike and that affects both passengers and cargo.
Also the taxi drivers of the capital, although in the latter case some vehicles from this union are seen circulating through the streets of Buenos Aires.
The response of the Milei Government
“The union members do not let you work” is the message from the Government of Javier Milei that appears this Wednesday at the Retiro station, where trains, subways and buses converge, one of the nerve centers of transportation in Buenos Aires.
This message, but expanded with attacks on union members identified by their surnames, was published on Tuesday in the Mi Argentina application, aimed at facilitating administrative procedures for citizens and which the Government has used to harangue against the strike.
Also on Tuesday, the presidential spokesman, Manuel Adorni, stated in his usual press conference that those who go on strike are “privileged people who seek to harm those who want to work.”
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**Interview with Pablo Moyano, Co-Head of the General Workers’ Union (CGT) and General Secretary of the Truckers’ Union**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Pablo. The strike in Buenos Aires has certainly caused significant disruption. Can you explain the main reasons behind this action?
**Pablo Moyano:** Thank you for having me. The strike is primarily a response to the urgent need for better wages and working conditions. Our members have been heavily affected by recent government cuts under Javier Milei, which have eroded their purchasing power and created job insecurity. This action signifies our resolve to demand more from our government and to ensure our voices are heard.
**Interviewer:** There are reports of long lines at bus stops, while other forms of transport are completely shut down. How are workers managing to get to their jobs amid this chaos?
**Pablo Moyano:** It’s indeed a challenge. Many workers reliant on public transport are struggling to reach their workplaces. Those who have access to private vehicles or can coordinate rides with neighbors, like Erika we spoke to earlier, have an advantage. However, this isn’t viable for everyone, especially for those living in the outskirts of the city. It’s a clear reflection of the impact of these strikes on the everyday lives of people.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned that this strike might be just the beginning. What are your plans moving forward if negotiations with the authorities don’t yield results?
**Pablo Moyano:** We are actively engaging in negotiations, but if those talks do not lead to satisfactory outcomes, we will escalate our actions. We will unite even more across different unions, organizing further strikes and demonstrations to make our demands clear. Our aim is to ensure that workers in Argentina are treated with the respect and fairness they deserve.
**Interviewer:** Do you believe that the government will respond to these pressures?
**Pablo Moyano:** We hope they will see the gravity of the situation. The workers’ patience is running thin, and we will not back down until our demands are met. The government needs to recognize the vital role that workers play in the economy and respond accordingly to our needs.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Pablo. We appreciate your time in shedding light on this critical issue for many Argentines.
**Pablo Moyano:** Thank you for covering this important story. We need to maintain awareness about workers’ rights and the ongoing challenges we face.
