“To be strong, we need to be united.”
This basic and founding truth of the
labor movement, which sadly not everyone
applies, was renewed by the leaders of
the unions affiliated to the CGT.
This is why, after three recently held
meetings at the UOCRA
(construction), UOM (metallurgy)
and UATRE (rural workers) trade
unions, the “small board” of the CGT
was formed, with nine leaders of
different unions, which will make
decisions and determine actions in
agreement with their leader, Hugo
Moyano.
This is a vital move for the Argentinean
labor movement, at a time when wage
increase discussions with companies and
the national government are underway,
and when unions are most susceptible to
internal divisions and the likelihood of
employers taking advantage of such
divisions and the means available to
them.
In addition to Moyano, leader of
the truckers’ union, the members of this
new CGT Governing Committee will
be: Barrionuevo, of the
Union of Tourism, Hotel and Food Service
Workers of Argentina (UTHGRA);
Gerónimo Venegas, of the Union of
Rural Workers and Stevedores (UATRE);
Andrés Rodríguez, of the Union of
National Civil Servants (UPCN);
Gerardo Martínez, of the
Construction Labor Union of the Republic
of Argentina (UOCRA); Antonio
Caló, of the Metallurgy Labor Union
(UOM); José Luis Lingeri
(Sanitary Works); Jorge Omar Viviani
(Taxi Drivers); Vicente Mastrocola
(Plastics); and Roberto Fernández
(Public Transportation).
In this way, through the joint action of
all the trade unions and organizations
affiliated to the CGT, the
confederation seeks to bring any
unsolved wage conflicts to a successful
end, thus consolidating the commitment
not to leave any affiliated union on
their own. Any action taken by this new
body will be agreed by consensus. The
committee will receive concerns from
member organizations and will act on
them jointly.
For the unions affiliated to the IUF,
this is a huge achievement, which
actually originated largely in leaders
of two of its affiliated unions: Luis
Barrionuevo, of UTHGRA, and
Gerónimo Venegas, of UATRE.
In an interview with
Sirel, Barrionuevo
assured that “only by uniting will we be
able to solved the problems of the whole
movement.” He also announced that the
decisions taken will be unappealable
“because they will be adopted by a
Confederation whose governing board is
representative of all the areas of
production.”
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Gerónimo Venegas |
He also assured that “the escraches
(public exposures) against hotels and
food service establishments will now be
massive actions, as all workers,
regardless of the union or industry they
belong to, will be there to support
their fellow workers. This is going to
be a huge help, because employers are
unwilling to solve the conflict.”
For his part, Gerónimo Venegas,
UATRE secretary general, declared
that “this is a very strong signal that
we’re giving, both outside and inside
the labor movement. To all those who
were saying that the CGT was
breaking up, we’re saying that it’s
stronger than ever. And to those inside
the CGT, we’re telling them that
there’ll be solidarity and unity. No
distinctions will be made between small
and large unions. This is a qualitative
leap towards achieving our demands,” the
union leader highlighted.
The union leaders informed
Sirel that the CGT
Governing Committee will begin work
immediately, as it has scheduled a
meeting for Tuesday the 15th
at the historical headquarters located
on Azopardo street. The first action
planned is to request that the Minimum
Wage Council be convened, with the aim
of raising it from 800 to 1,050 pesos
(320 dollars). Also requested will be a
dependency allowance increase; the
regulation of the non-taxable minimum;
the appointment of a CGT
delegation to participate in the
International Labor Organization (ILO)
meeting; and support for its own work
accident bill, which the government has
still not presented to Congress.
