Several public buses drive through an empty street near Retiro train station during a general strike against President Javier Millei's reforms in Buenos Aires, Argentina, May 9, 2024. AP
Argentina's largest trade union today issued its fiercest challenge to the free-market, fundamentalist government of President Javier Millay with a massive general strike.
The strike canceled hundreds of flights and halted major bus, train and subway lines. Major thoroughfares, streets, and major transportation terminals were eerily deserted.
Millais' 24-hour strike against controversial austerity and deregulation policies threatened to cripple the country of 46 million people, with banks, businesses and state institutions closed in protest.
Most teachers were unable to go to school, and parents kept their children at home. Garbage collectors have also quit their jobs, as have non-A&E health workers.
The government announced that 6.6 million people will be unable to commute to work due to disruption to transport services. That was evident during this morning's rush hour, as very few cars were seen on the normally congested streets. Trash was already piling up on the deserted sidewalk.
CGT, the country's largest trade union federation, said it was jointly striking with other trade unions “in defense of democracy, workers' rights and a living wage.”
Argentina's powerful trade unions, with support from the left-wing Peronist party that has dominated national politics for decades, have been leading a pushback against Mr. Millay's policies in the streets and courts in recent months.
“We face a government that is pushing for the abolition of labor and social rights,” the union said.
The government downplayed the chaos as a cynical ploy by left-wing political opponents.
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