Transportation Unions Strike in Argentina

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – A 24-hour strike initiated by transportation unions on Wednesday in Argentina blocked grain shipments at a major hub, affecting thousands due to halted trains and airplanes.

Workers protested against President Javier Milei's austerity measures, which included public agency layoffs, while demanding higher wages, as the government seeks to balance its accounts amid a severe economic crisis.

The strike affected the port operations in Rosario, a key area for grain exports, with the local chamber CAPyM reporting that the union responsible for boat operations prevented any docking or departing of ships. Guillermo Wade, the head of CAPyM, stated, "The rest of the port is working normally, loading ships and unloading trucks."

In addition to Rosario, the strike impacted the ports of Buenos Aires, La Plata, and Bahia Blanca, along with air travel delays for flights operated by state-owned Aerolineas Argentinas, which is facing privatization plans and workforce reductions.

Protests also included education unions advocating for higher university budgets. While buses were the only available mode of transport, unions for bus workers announced a separate strike planned for Thursday to negotiate salary increases.

"I have to work and this is ruining me. I think the strike is wrong," a worker expressed to TV channel La Nacion+, recounting a significant wait at the bus stop.

Omar Maturano, head of a train conductors' union, remarked to TV station TN that striking was the workers' only means of resistance against the government’s economic policies.