Argentina: Unionized public sector employees to strike in the Santa Fe Province May 8-9

Unionized public sector workers plan to strike in Santa Fe Province May 8-9; the purpose of the action is to pressure regional and national authorities to concede to a series of demands, including salary increases. Participating workers will include teachers represented by the Education Association of Santa Fe (Asociacion del Magisterio de Santa Fe, AMSAFE), government employees affiliated with the Government Workers' Association (Asociacion de Trabajadores del Estado, ATE), and public health workers from the Argentina Association of Medical Doctors (Asociacion de Medicos de la Republica Argentina, AMRA). While some of the unions have called for a 24-hour work stoppage on May 8, all are likely to remain on strike for 48 hours given that major national unions have planned a nationwide walk-out for May 9.

Unless averted, the industrial action will almost certainly prompt reduced availability of government services, including public healthcare. Associated protests are likely, especially near government buildings in the city of Santa Fe and Rosario.