Argentine transport strike

Photo: Lapatilla.com

Argentina’s roads and rail lines came to a standstill on Tuesday after transport unions staged a one-day a national strike.

The action grounded all national and international flights and paralysed activities at the main ports including Rosario, disrupting shipments. However, given its brief duration it is not thought to have had a major impact on the country’s fruit exports.

This is the second 24-hour walkout in three months by the transport unions who are calling for the government to lower income tax rates and remove a cap on salary negotiations. It follows last week’s strike by the country’s most powerful truck drivers’ union, the National Truck Drivers' and Transport Workers' Federation.

Workers are demanding tax cuts and pay increases of up to 40 per cent in order to offset the erosion in purchasing power brought about by high inflation.