Amid increasing tension between the government and transport unions who are currently considering going on a strike demanding a year-end bonus and changes in income taxes, cabinet chief Jorge Capitanich reitereated the government’s willingness to dialogue and asked workers for “understanding.”
The chief of ministers highlighted “the state’s effort on (transport) subsidies and investments” and said that it “should be taken into account by workers.” In his daily press conference at the government house, Capitanich said the government remains “open to dialogue.”
After failing to reach an agreement with the Labour Ministry, representatives of various trade unions in the transport sector will meet today to determine the course of action, which could include a massive walk-out in the sector.
“They have already held collective salary negotiations,” Capitanich said and explained amid the salary demands. He added that new wage talks are scheduled for the beggining of next year.
In the meantime, Capitanich confirmed that pro-government CGT head Antonio Caló has officially requested a hearing with president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner to to ask for a December income tax exemption.
Capitanich said that the request is likely to be answered next week, once Ms. Kirchner goes back to work after recovering from a bout of sigmoiditis, an infection of the colon.
buenosairesherald.com