In tug-of-war with unions, the government steps on “union democracy” but does not rule out reviving the ruling

Until last week, the ruling party together with the allied blocks had the opinion ready for a Substantial reform in the organization of unionsHowever, at the last minute – even Some deputies found out on their way to Congress– the meeting of the Labour Legislation Commission that would advance with a a project that the CGT is resisting.

“The law needs to be worked on more,” he told Scope the jujeño Manuel Quintar (Freedom Advances) in explaining the motivation of the libertarian bench to withdraw its support for a radical initiative, which was taken for granted after months of debate in committees. What were the most important reforms? elimination of indefinite re-elections for general secretaries, the abolition of the mandatory solidarity fee, the implementation of a clean record for union members, the regulation of minority representation in union leadership and new schemes for choosing union social services.

The change in the libertarian position was substantial in avoiding a majority in the commission. Of its 31 members, 18 (from UP, LLA, FIT) did not support the modifications in the laws on Trade Union Associations and Collective Labor Agreements. The accompaniment of the two members of the group was also not assured. Federal Meetingamong which is the oil unionist Jorge Avila. Those who do support the union reform are the aforementioned UCRhe PRO and the Civic Coalition.

Despite this decision, the ruling party is keeping the possibility of issuing its own project later. While waiting, the Government retains a negotiating tool with the CGTwho after partially supporting the mobilization of retirees, announced his support for the march that the universities will carry out on October 2 against a possible veto by Javier Milei. The union was asked by this newspaper if the channels of dialogue with Casa Rosada had been revitalized, but they failed to provide any kind of response.

Peronism and the provinces, in middle positions

Sergio Palazzo (banking), Carlos Cisneros (banking), Hugo Yasky (CTA), Mario Manrique (SMATA), José Gómez (Luz y Fuerza) Pablo Carro (university) and Vanesa Siley (judicial): the union composition of the Union for the Fatherland within the commission This puts him on the opposite side of the reform intentions that were close to being decided on Tuesday.The project’s priority is to reduce the unions’ ability to influence the debate on income,” said Daniel Arroyo. to this medium, and analyzed that “the fight does not have to be between the government and the unions, but rather how we can expand productive capacity and generate more jobs.”

“Until now, The Government has been counting on having a majority that it objectively does not have.because it has not been possible to reach an agreement with the other blocks,” said Arroyo -also a member of the commission- and stressed that Peronism wants a “more comprehensive” reform: “It is appropriate for the person who has a public function to present sworn declarations, but in the other processes that are modified It is not clear to me how much the conditions of work organization are improving in a context where jobs are being lost.where there is a drop in economic activity.”

Another of the positions came from the block of Federal Innovationwhere there are representatives who answer to provincial governors. In this sense, the Rio Negro native Augustine Sundaya member of the commission, also interpreted to Ámbito that “they wanted to move forward with a ruling without having checked that there was consensus” and understood “It is a priority to advance the decentralization of collective bargaining, in terms of what is missing regarding labor reform, so that it has a impact on improving formality in labor relations“Getting involved in the internal dynamics of unions is highly questionable.”

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Daniel Arroyo, member of the Union for the Homeland.

Tetaz’s anger and PRO’s rejection

“We want a thorough reform or nothing. Half-heartedly it does not serve the Argentines,” Quintar said, adding: “We understand that What Martín Tetaz wants to do is try to manage the Executive’s agenda“. The figure of the radical economist is relevant not only because he presides over the Labour Legislation Commission but because it is the second time in five months that he has sought to promote a reform that affects the unions. The last time was before the Treatment of the Law BasesIn response, the Government included a labour law in the package of measures that did not include political changes for the unions. In its eagerness to support the ruling party, the UCR set aside its own initiative.

An hour before the suspension of the committee meeting was made official, Tetaz himself used his social networks to express his discontent in surveys and publications that are part of the official narrative: “This is the kind of miserable political stuff that makes those of us who really want change angry and want to leave.“We are confident that the government will reconsider and that next week it will reveal its true preference. You cannot slap Biró for the photo and then come to an agreement with the fat cats of the CGT. You have to choose which side you are on,” he said.

Given the rumors that pointed against his possible change of position, the PRO rushed a document to ratify its support for the reform in search of “a modern and democratic unionism.” “Basically, the statement was written by Capozzi“, they say from the party, in reference to the deputy vice-president of the Commission. Then, they remember the letter signed by Christian Ritondo with demands to the national Executive: “We included this issue on July 16 in a list of topics and projects to be addressed. “We never moved from the same place.” Like the UCR, they say that they are “looking for signatures” to obtain a ruling as soon as possible.

The deputy reacted with less diplomacy Monica Frade, from the Civic Coalition“They are disgusting,” he wrote on his social media account X, and noted that “we have been working to put an end to union members who use their positions to enrich themselves. “I like that the government is so explicit. It is associated with the mafias. End of story.”