Tensions on rise in Milei’s Argentina as unions, movements confront government
Brutal police crackdown at pension protest in Buenos Aires has united labour and social organisations, who are increasingly willing to show their discontent with the government.
The repression of a protest demanding improved pensions for retirees earlier this month was a turning point. A group of social actors, including unions, picket groups and popular movements, agree that now – with President Javier Milei under increasing pressure – is the time to take to the streets for an intense agenda of public demonstrations.
Behind this fixture list of rallies are organisations that were, not so long ago, distanced from each other. During the Frente de Todos government (2019-2023), many of them were at odds. They even maintained differences during President Milei’s first year in office, as they struggled to come to terms with his popular support. Today, however, the groups are in agreement: it is time to draw a line in the sand.
The Confederación General del Trabajo (CGT), Argentina’s biggest labour federation, is willing, despite some internal differences. The Corriente Federal de los Trabajadores (a group of unions that are members of the central union on Azopardo Street and are in tune with Kirchnerism) too. The two branches of the Centrales de los Trabajadores (CTA) are not far behind, which has embarked on a process of unity since Milei’s government took office on December 10, 2023.
The Unión de los Trabajadores Populares (a conglomerate of organisations representing informal workers, including the Movimiento Evita), is another strong collective that says it is ready to challenge the government from the streets. Other social movements – such as Libres del Sur, the Frente Darío Santillán and the Movimiento Socialista de los Trabajadores (MST) Teresa Vive – are also back on the scene. Following fierce austerity cuts at their canteens (a result of cost-cutting by Sandra Pettovello’s Human Capital Ministry) and the introduction of the Security Minister Patricia Bullrich’s ‘anti-picket’ street clearance protocol, they banded together in a front called Territorios en Lucha and have promised to accompany all mobilisations against the La Libertad Avanza administration.
Leaders from the aforementioned groups now appear to be in permanent contact, sharing strategies and imitating the government's tactics. They believe that the current situation demands they redouble their efforts.
"There has been a backlash against Milei since the [‘$LIBRA’] cryptocurrency scandal, which includes [the bid to impose Supreme Court] judges by decree, the late reaction to the flooding in Bahía Blanca, the repression of pensioners [at protests] and the agreement with the IMF. No-one can come out of this combo unscathed," said Hugo Godoy, secretary general of the CTA-A, in an interview with Perfil.
For Alejandro Gramajo, the head of the UTEP and the leader in charge of coordinating strategy with all sectors, “the government's story is over, no-one believes the lies they tell and there is absolute social disgust.”
“Conflict is going to increase,” warned the social leader, anticipating another large rally involving union, student, feminist and human rights movements on March 24, to mark the latest anniversary of the 1976 civil-military coup that brought the dictatorship to power – another upcoming image of opposition for the La Libertad Avanza government.
When Congress deals with Milei’s emergency DNU decree, enabling the Executive to take on debt with the International Monetary Fund, there will also be a protest postcard.
The CGT has yet to define a date for the third general strike of the Milei administration. Secretary General Héctor Daer has only said that it would take place before April 10. It will be backed by every organisation that is critical of the economist-president.
But there are still steps that must be taken. The first is to resolve internal divergences: within the CTA, for example, there are leaders who believe that the conditions for concrete measures are lacking. “There is no unification of ideas, we have to draw up an agenda on other aspects,” said one source. The second is related to the government's attempts to prevent a strike from taking place.
From the Casa Rosada, they say that the call for a strike without a date is designed to “attract attention.” What do the protesters want? Above-average-inflation wage renegotiation agreements, an increase in the flow of funds for union social security, no progress on labour reform and an increase in teachers' pay.