Thursday, June 21, 2012

CGT to join Teamsters' strike, demonstration

“We are backing the teamsters’ in their claim because the income tax affects us all as workers,” Schmid said and added they will march to Plaza de Mayo. He also said that government officials accusing them of “coup-mongers” are irresponsible.

The umbrella union will also file a report to the International Labour Organization regarding the accusations the Government made against them and will also present a bill in Congress to move forward with bills regarding the increase in the income tax floor and the payment of salary caps to all workers.

Schmid confirmed that the Argentine Transport Workers Confederation (CATT) will also join the strike.

“You know that not all unions are present here today, but over 50 unions have decided to join the strike and we will join the demonstration because we share the same claims,” Schmid added.

Earlier today, in a much awaited press conference, CGT Labour Confederation head Hugo Moyano came on stage to announce the end of the national strike led by the Teamsters’ union, but called for another one next week as well a massive march to Plaza de Mayo where numerous unions will once again urge the national government to increase the income tax floor, and pay salary caps to all workers.

A relaxed Moyano indicated that “no strike will be lifted until the government resolves the income tax issue. The salary hike obtained [25.5 percent] won’t solve it. We still want the government to sit with us and discuss an increase of the income tax salary floor, and guarantee the payment of salary caps for all workers.”

“For this purpose, many numerous unions will join us next week in a massive demonstration at Plaza de Mayo.”

Likewise, Moyano asked President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner to “please stop believing that she can do whatever she wants just because she obtained 54 percent of the vote, and be a more humble person. Otherwise, this government looks like an entourage of liars.”

Meanwhile, the president of the FADEEAC Cargo Transport Federation Luis Morales announced they have reached a 25.5 percent wage hike deal with teamsters amid a nationwide strike that was causing fuel shortages all over the country.

“We have come to an agreement with the teamsters. After a meeting with Hugo Moyano we have agreed a wage hike of 25.5% to be paid between next month and March 2013,” Morales said today during a televised press conference.

Moyano and the president of the transport federation met for two hours early this afternoon, in order to come to a head over the wage conflict.

“Transport employers have done everything they can to accompany the teamsters. This agreement was in fact a personal accord between Hugo Moyano and myself.

“I could even say that we took a step further in order to put through a wage deal like this. The companies were not exactly in the right economic position in order to allow this, but we did it in order to achieve social peace,” Morales stated.

The payments will begin shortly with a 12.5% in July, 7% in November and a further 6% in March of 2013, making a total of 25.5%.