LA NACION (Argentina) CLARIN (Argentina)
BUENOS AIRES – The Argentine capital was at a virtual standstill for a fourth straight day Tuesday as a major subway strike began to take its toll on both people and businesses, La Nacion reports. The strike, which started Friday evening, is expected to continue for at least another day.
The striking subway workers are demanding a 28% pay raise and better working conditions, Clarín reports.
The strike is also bringing to light the difficulty the municipal and national governments have in working together. Federal administrators say the problem with subway workers falls to municipal authorities, while the mayor’s office insists that the strike should be the responsibility of the federal government, La Nacion reports. So far, neither one has contacted the striking workers or their representatives, and union leaders say the strike will continue until someone agrees to negotiate.
The national transport secretary, Alejandro Ramos, asked the mayor not to “take the people hostage,” and to take care of the subway system service. He said, ironically “The head of the city is not taking charge. What does he want, for me to do it? In that case, tomorrow I’ll just take over a whole city.”
Meanwhile, the city is moving slowly. The avenues are choked with cars, and long lines wait hours to get a bus or a taxi, Clarín reports.
