Argentina: Various strikes taking place June 14 /update 1

Event

Various strikes are taking place on Thursday, June 14, following calls from the CTA umbrella unions.

Truck drivers will be on strike throughout the day. A broad array of services will be affected as drivers of garbage trucks, bank vehicles, and food and oil delivery trucks will participate. The union has stated that striking drivers will not block roads, although isolated roadblocks cannot be ruled out.

Buenos Aires public transit workers will also take part. Consequently, the subway (subte) will close at 20:00 (local time) on Thursday. All six lines of the subte and all Premetro lines will be affected. Increased demand for taxis and buses is to be anticipated.

An associated march will be held beginning at 15:00, running from the corner of Avenida de Mayo and 9 de Julio to the Plaza de Mayo.

Context

Additional anti-government protests and strike are to be anticipated in the coming days and weeks, amid high sociopolitical tensions and mounting economic concerns. Labor unions have called for a nationwide general strike to take place on Monday, June 25, to protest the economic policies of President Mauricio Macri’s conservative government, notably a recent agreement made with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Larger demonstrations in Argentina can result in major traffic chaos that can significantly disrupt daily life. Clashes with security forces and other low-intensity violence occasionally occurs.

Advice

Individuals in Argentina are advised to avoid all protests and roadblocks as a precaution and use alternate means of transportation.