Argentina

Police repression against UTHGRA rally

Several wounded and dozens arrested in violent police action

 

 

In the afternoon of Monday, May 4, members of the Union of Tourism, Hotel and Food Service Workers of Argentina (UTHGRA) who were protesting in front of the Hotel and Food Business Chamber were surprised by riot police who came down violently on them, leaving 17 hurt –including one seriously injured– and 60 arrested.

 

For several weeks now negotiations between UTHGRA and the food and hotel business sector have been at a standstill. Among other demands, the Union is asking for a 30-percent increase, while management seeks to postpone any raises for another six months. They argue that the global economic crisis is severely affecting business and that they need that time to see how things evolve in the sector.

 

The truth is that the raise that workers demand is barely enough to cover past inflation, as the rates and prices applied by businesses have accompanied inflation and, in some cases, even topped it.

 

UTHGRA decided to conduct two rallies on Monday the 4th, fully aware that mobilizing workers in the streets is the most effective way they have to express the workers’ resolve and willingness to struggle.

 

In the morning, the Union gathered in front of the Hotel Sheraton in Buenos Aires to rally peacefully as usual, and no incidents occurred. However, several union leaders pointed out that they were surprised to see a larger police contingent than in past rallies.

 

In the afternoon, workers gathered to protest in front of the Cámara Empresarial de Hoteleros y Gastronómicos (Hotel and Food Business Chamber), where they were repressed by riot police who attacked them with chemical-spraying riot-control vehicles, teargas, rubber bullets and random clubbing.

 

Seventeen workers were injured, with several of them being taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. One worker remains hospitalized as he was hit in the eye with a rubber bullet and his condition is still delicate. The police also arrested 60 protesters, none of which remain in custody as the courts found no grounds to charge them.

 

Consulted at UTHGRA headquarters, union representatives could find no explanation for this savage repression, but are seeing it as something “prepared.” In statements to the press, UTHGRA leader Luis Barrionuevo accused the Minister of Interior and Justice of “serving the government’s insanity.”

 

Government authorities, for their part, have yet to give any explanation for this outrageous action.

 

UTHGRA will continue mobilizing, and has called on the general secretaries of all its divisions to move forward with their plan of action until their demands are met.

 

  

From Montevideo, Carlos Amorín

Rel-UITA

May 5, 2009

 

 

 

Photo: www.formosaahora.com.ar_represión

 

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  UITA - Secretaría Regional Latinoamericana - Montevideo - Uruguay

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