A new general strike is expected, joined by picketing criminals and far-left activists
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In a new attempt at destabilization, the General Confederation of Labor (CGT) announced a third general strike against Javier Milei's government for the upcoming April 8. Additionally, it confirmed its participation in the opposition march on March 24, a date that sectors aligned with Kirchnerism have historically used as a political platform.
The decision, made in a meeting with the piquetero leadership of the UTEP, led by Juan Grabois, highlights the alignment of the labor union with the hardest sectors of Peronism and the left.
Despite Milei's democratic mandate and the popular support for his reform plan, the unions seek to halt his progress with forceful measures and opposition mobilizations.
The third strike
The Executive Council of the CGT will meet on March 20 at the historic headquarters on Azopardo Street to define the details of the strike. It is unclear whether the protest will include a march to Congress or the Casa Rosada, but what is evident is that the union leadership has decided to abandon any hint of negotiation with the Executive.
"The strike already has a date, the details will be solved on Thursday," a union leader told Infobae. This is the third general strike against Milei in just four months, an unprecedented escalation.
Manifestación de los “Jubilados” .
The first strike was on January 24, just 45 days after Milei's inauguration, marking a record speed in opposition to a democratic government. The second, on May 9, affected transportation and had a considerable impact.
The CGT and UTEP
Last Friday, in the Felipe Vallese Hall, the CGT released its partnership with the UTEP, Grabois's piquetero organization. From the podium, Héctor Daer (Sanitation), Hugo Moyano (Truckers), Andrés Rodríguez (UPCN), and José Luis Lingeri (Sanitary Works) celebrated the call for the strike alongside leaders of the popular economy, in a scene that reflects the fusion between traditional unionism and piqueteroactivism.
This alliance is no coincidence: after months of relative calm, the CGT has hardened its stance against Milei, in a shift that responds to pressure from Kirchnerism and the more radicalized sectors of unionism.
The inclusion of names like Juan Carlos Schmid (Dredging and Beaconing), Sergio Romero (UDA), Jorge Sola (Insurance), and Cristian Jerónimo (Glass) in the decision-making core of the union indicates a coordinated strategy to obstruct the government's reforms.
Nuevo paro general.
Will there be a transportation strike?
One of the determining factors of the violent strike will be the adhesion of the transportation unions. So far, the two centers that group the sector's unions – the CATT (aligned with Moyano) and the UGATT (its rival) – have shown caution.
Initially, they had considered joining the supposed "march for retirees" called by unions and violent sectors next Wednesday, but ultimately withdrew from the protest, which could lead to new disturbances following recent clashes with the Police.
In contrast, the State Workers Association (ATE) did confirm its participation in the demonstration, with a work stoppage from 12 noon to march to Congress.
In a statement, its violent general secretary, Rodolfo Aguiar, justified the measure with an ideologically charged speech: "After the illegal repression, it's clearer than ever that the fight is for retirees and in defense of democracy."
The union strategy: political resistance with Kirchnerism's support
Far from representing just a protest, the CGT's offensive is set in a context of open political confrontation with the government.
The background is evident: more than a defense of workers, Kirchnerist unionism seeks to defend its privileges. The question is whether, in the face of growing approval of libertarian reforms and society's weariness with the union's extortionate methods, this strategy will have the expected impact or if, on the contrary, it will accelerate the CGT's loss of legitimacy.
