The Subway and Premetro Workers Union Association (AGTSyP-Metrodelegadxs) will hold a strike today across all subway lines to demand talks with their employeres to discuss working conditions and wages.

The strike began this morning with the interruption of the H line from 5.30 am to 9 am; and will continue with the halting of the B line from 9 am to 12 pm; the C line from 12 pm to 3 pm, and the E line and Premetro from 3 pm to 6 pm.

The A line will be cut from 6pm to 9pm, and the D line from 9pm to midnight.

In a statement, the union said the measures were taken due to the “refusal” of concessionary company Emova, state company Subterráneos de Buenos Aires (Sbase) and the Buenos Aires Undersecretary of Labour to “discuss working conditions and wages”.

“We, the underground workers, have been demanding the working day be reduced to 30 hours a week in order to have two days off and, therefore, reduce our exposure to carcinogenic mineral asbestos”, they wrote. 

“Emova responds to our claims by lying to users saying that it’s safe underground. Meanwhile workers get work days illegally deducted and receive illegitimate and illegal sanctions aimed at silencing the claim”, they denounced.

According to worker’s statistics, 37% of the city’s subway trains contain asbestos.