In a press conference after the massive demonstration on International Workers’ Day, The General Confederation of Labour (CGT) confirmed the call for a general strike on May 9 and anticipated that they intend to “speak with all Senate blocs” to stop the omnibus bill proposed by the national administration. “We want the chapter on the public sector to be discussed and reformulated, that’s why we ask the Senate today that we would like to speak to all blocs, so some things don’t go against Argentina”, General Secretary of CGT Héctor Daer said, and underlined that dialogue with governors remains open.
During the press conference held at CGT’s Buenos Aires headquarters on Azopardo St, Pablo Moyano said that “things are already clear with those who got to the Senate singing the Peronist March”, but they will meet with “those who don’t answer to Unión por la Patria”.
“We have a very clear agenda of demands, concerning the social situation, the decisions that the government has made these recent months, decisions that implied a brutal austerity plan against the most vulnerable sectors”, Daer said. After the marathon-like session that concluded with the approval of the omnibus bill by Lower House, Daer also questioned those “who say they are not pro-government, yet voted in favor” of the law.
CGT leaders also questioned the government for not increasing the minimum wage, and denied that salaries are rising above the inflation, as President Milei said. “We agree with Milei: the salaries of his sister Karina, spokesperson Adorni’s and his brother did rise above the inflation, unlike the workers’ who are losing. Trade unions who are fighting could end in a tie, but others don’t”, Pablo Moyano, head of the Truckers’ Union, said.
CGT also showed its concern over the public sector and particularly over Télam news agency. “We are worried about state employment, we are worried about the 70/2023 Decree still being in force, and that it is used as a tool to shut down many institutions and dependencies, such is the case of Télam and other decentralized organizations”, Daer said during the conference.