Argentina

CGT grows stronger

Labor movement united to

support struggle for wages

Luis Barrionuevo

 

 

Argentina’s General Confederation of Labor (CGT), headed by Hugo Moyano, has decided to form a Governing Committee with another nine union leaders, which will constitute a strong organic structure representative of every sector, with the aim of coordinating the struggle of all labor organizations while the joint committees are being developed.

 

 

“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.

“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.”

 Gerónimo Venegas (UATRE)

 

 

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.”

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. 

In Buenos Aires, Javier Amorín

© Rel-UITA

May 11, 2007

 

 

 

 

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