Buenos Aires Herald 
The Subway and Premetro Workers Union Association (AGTSyP-Metrodelegadxs) will hold a strike today from 8 p.m. until closure. This is the latest in a series of protests due to the presence of asbestos, a carcinogenic mineral, in the subway cars which has caused health concerns for its workers.
All lines of the Subway and the Premetro won’t be running as workers are demanding that Emova, the company that runs the subway service, reduce their hours from 36 to 30 hours and give them two days off per week.
This reduction of hours would ensure less exposure to asbestos which will therefore decrease the likelihood of health issues later on.
The AGTSyP said in a press release it understands that it is affecting people’s daily lives but “these strikes are to defend our lives, our health, those of our families and all of the people who use the subte.”
Roberto Pianelli, the general secretary of the AGTSyP, also said that “if they [the Buenos Aires government] take any sort of measures to reach a consensus, we will be able to stop the protests.”
The health concerns come after the deaths of three people from asbestos exposure. Six are also reported to have cancer and 87 people have experienced health issues, according to the AGTSyP.
Emova has criticized the protests by the workers as not only does it affect those who need to move through the city but that, “the reduction of weekly hours from 36 to 30 hours is not feasible without affecting the operation of the subway network.”
The strikes will also continue this Thursday, August 3rd from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.
