The Trade and related employees union (SEOCA),representing the western zone of the buenos Aires Conurban,is leading the charge against the National Government’s alleged refusal to standardize agreed-upon wage increases. The union claims the government is also pressuring businesses to ignore their own agreements, a situation that has been ongoing for about a month.

Union leaders anticipated potential delays and intervention from the Casa Rosada, which has reportedly been advocating for a “zero peer” approach, arguing that salary increases are inflationary. to counter this, the union included Article 10 in the agreement, guaranteeing immediate payment of increases, regardless of future agreements or approvals.

the decision to perhaps strike stems from grassroots movements, with delegates in each workplace holding assemblies to discuss the issue and potential actions. According to reports, these meetings have seen unusually high levels of participation.

Delegates are tasked with bringing mandates to the Board of Directors, which is responsible for setting the strike date. Julio Rubén Ledesma heads the SEOCA commission, which covers areas from Hummock to Marcos Paz, including Merlo, Moreno, and The killing.

As general secretary of the region, Ledesma, a former deputy and Secretary of Social Action of the National Federation, recently met with Vice Governor Verónica Magario and Minister of labor of the Province, Walter Correa.

Following this meeting, the Ministry issued an opinion affirming the validity of the joint agreement and the obligation to fulfill its terms.This development has reportedly boosted the protests, which now have the backing of the provincial government.

Regional Reactions

Roberto Rodríguez, Secretary General of the Trade Employees Center, which covers Quilmes, Berazategui, and Florencio Varela, echoed these concerns. “We are in the same,” he stated, accusing the government of “teasing them.” He added, “The parity they try to ignore is not twenty points, it is just 1.9, a misery, and still step on it.”

The parity they try to ignore is not twenty points,it is just 1.9, a misery, and still step on it.

However, Rodríguez noted that the decision to strike should be made by the Argentine Federation of Commerce and services Employees (FAECYS), led by Armando Cavalieri.

Guillermo Bianchi, general secretary of the Mar del Plata and Atlantic Coast region, stated, “In Mar del Plata we have been alert and mobilization for ten days.”

“First they were informative assemblies,without affecting the daily tasks and then assemblies with partial strikes.Now that we have an opinion of the provincial authority,we will demand compliance. The next step is to study the salary receipts, to see who pays the increase and who does not. If it is indeed not paid, we will deepen the measures,” he explained.

Bianchi also pointed out that “Foreign Wholesale Self -Seristas, owned by multinational companies do not pay the increase, but those of national groups yes. As soon as possible, we will intimate by letter document to those who do not,” he warned.

The agreement, which the current administration is allegedly attempting to undermine under the direction of Luis Caputo and with the alleged omission of Secretary of Labor Julio cordero, also included non-remunerative fixed sums. This would bring the initial basic salary for the sector from 930,000 pesos in April to 1,123,000 pesos.

Sources within the sector believe that the level of discontent could force the Federation to act, lest they risk being overwhelmed by unauthorized actions from workers.

Union Statement

In a statement signed by Ledesma and press secretary Juan Valenzuela, the SEOCA declared, “Faced with an increase of 1.9 percent monthly that is below all official inflation rates, the challenging attitude of the employer is a clear provocation to workers and their families.”

“Commerce employees in the west we continue in a state of permanent assembly and communicate that if this position persists, we will convene a total activity strike for 24 hours,” the statement concluded.