The national government hit back at the SICHOCA teamsters’ union protests being carried out today, as workers forming part of the trucker union run by Hugo and Pablo Moyano were blocking off entrances to various Correo Argentino mail depots. Planning Minister Julio De Vido defended the post company, assuring that “it does not have any contracts allowing poor labour conditions.”
“It is surprising that these things are being said now, especially because when the post office belonged to Macri and was under fire because workers were being let go without explanation, nobody said anything,” sustained the planning minister, adding that “surely the interests of the private mail companies are behind all of this.”
“All of the Correo Argentino workers are under a management scheme as indicated by law,” highlighted De Vido while dismissing the accusations made by the unionists against the company’s current working conditions.
Amid the tensions between CGT boss Hugo Moyano and the Government, the SICHOCA teamsters’ union met for talks today at their headquarters led by Pablo Moyano, in order to discuss what further action is to be taken with regard to their protests.
All of the most important representatives of the SICOCHA union were present at the teamsters’ headquarters, in order to analyze the conflict with Correo del Sur, a company that provided services for the Italian gas company Camuzzi that recently got rid of third-party employees that form part of Moyano’s union.
“The Labour Ministry needs to start to take action and work as is right and proper. There is no commitment from government members. We hope they will give us an answer today,” stated a member of the SICOCHA leadership, Marcelo Aparicio.
During the meeting, the teamsters decided to put together their “battle plan” which included the blocking-off of Correo Argentino offices.
“The meeting we carried out involved colleagues across all sectors (Refuse collection, water and soft drink distribution, fuel distribution, and post delivery). We have taken to the Correo Argentino to protest and other groups have also made themselves available. What we decided was that they are to join the protests which are being carried out in different parts of Buenos Aires and in the interior provinces of the country,” Aparicio stated.
The union director did not rule out plans for a national strike with a march toward the Plaza de Mayo, especially if in the next few hours negotiations are not organized between the company and the Labour Ministry.
“The battle plan continues in defence of the legitimate job placements. The march is foreseen, but first of all we are looking to open negotiation talks. There is no total trucker strike, and when one is decided on, it will be announced by the segretary general of the union,” the SICHOCA member furthered.
Meanwhile, the main lorry access to the Correo Argentino post depot in Monte Grande, south of Buenos Aires city -that circulates large quantities of mail everyday- was being blocked off since early this morning, with employees also not being allowed to enter the building. In addition, it was reported that access to other Correo Argentino offices was being blocked off in Trelew (Chubut), Neuquén, La Pampa, Santa Fe and Córdoba provinces.
CGT leader Hugo Moyano, Government officials and the truckers union are to meet to analyse the situation following the ongoing conflicts following the dismissals made in Chubut.
Pablo Moyano and the CGT boss threatened more protests in with the aim of forming a nationwide strike across different sectors.
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