12
Mar 2024
9:24 UTC
Argentina Tactical: ATE union calls for 24-hour nationwide strike, other left-wing unions call for nationwide protests, including in Buenos Aires on March 12; maintain heightened vigilance
Current Situation
- Representatives of the Asociacion Trabajadores del Estado (ATE), a union representing government workers, have called for a 24-hour nationwide strike, including in Buenos Aires City on March 12.
- Additionally, activists associated with multiple unions and social organizations including the the Central de Trabajadores de Argentina Autonoma (CTAA), the Polo Obrero, Unidad Piquetera, led by the Union de Trabajadores y Trabajadoras de la Economia Popular (UTEP) have called for a protest nationwide, including in Buenos Aires, Cordoba, and Rosario.
- Subsequently, protestors will erect roadblocks along major roads leading to Buenos Aires City, in support of the strike. This includes along the Viejo Puente Pueyrredon Bridge, at the intersection of Ruta 3 and Avenida General Paz, at the intersection of Avenida General Paz and Avenida Rivadavia, on Ruta 1 connecting Buenos Aires to La Plata, and on the Saavedra bridge near the intersection of Avenida General Paz and Avenida Maipu.
- The strike and associated protests are being called to denounce President Javier Milei’s administration’s alleged lack of response to the shortage of food affecting over 40,000 community kitchens nationwide, and the elimination of social security programs, including the Potenciar Trabajo plan, that allegedly constitute the main income of thousands of households. Additionally, representatives have demanded the renewal of over 70,000 government labor contracts that are due to expire on March 31.
Assessments & Forecast
- Based on heightened sentiments and the mobilizational capability of the ATE, the strike is expected to be widely adhered to, causing significant disruptions to commercial activities and business operations nationwide due to limited government services.
- Additionally, based on the mobilizational capabilities of the UTEP and other participating social groups and unions, the associated protests in Buenos Aires will likely witness turnouts in the low-to-mid thousands. Although details regarding protest location and timings in Cordoba and Rosario remain unconfirmed as of writing, protests in those cities are likely to witness turnouts ranging in the mid-hundreds to low thousands.
- Given precedent, the protests carry a credible potential for localized clashes between security forces and protesters. Security officials are liable to resort to forcible dispersal methods, including the use of water cannons and tear gas, to dismantle disruptive road blockades.
- With this, a bolstered security presence can be expected near the slated demonstration sites as well as at major government facilities, including the Congreso de la Nacion, the Casa Rosada, and public locations including the Plaza de Mayo in Buenos Aires City to monitor proceedings.
- Consequently, significant disruptions to vehicular and pedestrian traffic can be anticipated in the vicinity of all protest locations, particularly in Buenos Aires City. Moreover, pre-emptive road closures and measures to regulate traffic flow are also likely on March 12.
Recommendations
- Those residing or operating in Argentina, especially in Buenos Aires, on March 12 are advised to maintain heightened vigilance due to the potential for localized unrest during slated demonstrations.
- Allot for disruptions to government services and business operations nationwide due to the labor action by ATE.
- Allot for disruptions to travel near the slated roadblocks and potential protest locations.
COUNTRY RISK LEVEL
Low
AFFECTED AREA
Buenos Aires, Argentina
INCIDENT RISK LEVEL
Medium
STRENGTH OF SOURCE
Credible
Current Situation
- Representatives of the Asociacion Trabajadores del Estado (ATE), a union representing government workers, have called for a 24-hour nationwide strike, including in Buenos Aires City on March 12.
- Additionally, activists associated with multiple unions and social organizations including the the Central de Trabajadores de Argentina Autonoma (CTAA), the Polo Obrero, Unidad Piquetera, led by the Union de Trabajadores y Trabajadoras de la Economia Popular (UTEP) have called for a protest nationwide, including in Buenos Aires, Cordoba, and Rosario.
- Subsequently, protestors will erect roadblocks along major roads leading to Buenos Aires City, in support of the strike. This includes along the Viejo Puente Pueyrredon Bridge, at the intersection of Ruta 3 and Avenida General Paz, at the intersection of Avenida General Paz and Avenida Rivadavia, on Ruta 1 connecting Buenos Aires to La Plata, and on the Saavedra bridge near the intersection of Avenida General Paz and Avenida Maipu.
- The strike and associated protests are being called to denounce President Javier Milei’s administration’s alleged lack of response to the shortage of food affecting over 40,000 community kitchens nationwide, and the elimination of social security programs, including the Potenciar Trabajo plan, that allegedly constitute the main income of thousands of households. Additionally, representatives have demanded the renewal of over 70,000 government labor contracts that are due to expire on March 31.
Assessments & Forecast
- Based on heightened sentiments and the mobilizational capability of the ATE, the strike is expected to be widely adhered to, causing significant disruptions to commercial activities and business operations nationwide due to limited government services.
- Additionally, based on the mobilizational capabilities of the UTEP and other participating social groups and unions, the associated protests in Buenos Aires will likely witness turnouts in the low-to-mid thousands. Although details regarding protest location and timings in Cordoba and Rosario remain unconfirmed as of writing, protests in those cities are likely to witness turnouts ranging in the mid-hundreds to low thousands.
- Given precedent, the protests carry a credible potential for localized clashes between security forces and protesters. Security officials are liable to resort to forcible dispersal methods, including the use of water cannons and tear gas, to dismantle disruptive road blockades.
- With this, a bolstered security presence can be expected near the slated demonstration sites as well as at major government facilities, including the Congreso de la Nacion, the Casa Rosada, and public locations including the Plaza de Mayo in Buenos Aires City to monitor proceedings.
- Consequently, significant disruptions to vehicular and pedestrian traffic can be anticipated in the vicinity of all protest locations, particularly in Buenos Aires City. Moreover, pre-emptive road closures and measures to regulate traffic flow are also likely on March 12.
Recommendations
- Those residing or operating in Argentina, especially in Buenos Aires, on March 12 are advised to maintain heightened vigilance due to the potential for localized unrest during slated demonstrations.
- Allot for disruptions to government services and business operations nationwide due to the labor action by ATE.
- Allot for disruptions to travel near the slated roadblocks and potential protest locations.
COUNTRY RISK LEVEL
Low
AFFECTED AREA
Buenos Aires, Argentina
INCIDENT RISK LEVEL
Medium
STRENGTH OF SOURCE
Credible
Related Reports
Argentina
-
Labor ActionArgentina Tactical: Strike by maritime workers ongoing until 12:00 (local time) on April 30, associated protest planned in Buenos Aires at 10:00; allot for disruptions -
ProtestAmericas Tactical: International Labor Day protests slated to take place in multiple cities regionwide on May 1; maintain heightened vigilance -
ProtestArgentina Tactical: Protest by unionized workers ongoing outside Congreso in Buenos Aires as of 13:00 (local time) on April 29; allot for disruptions -
ProtestArgentina Tactical: Several civil society groups, unions to gather at Plaza de Mayo, Buenos Aires from 11:00 (local time) on April 27; allot for disruptions
Related Reports
Argentina
-
Labor ActionArgentina Tactical: Strike by maritime workers ongoing until 12:00 (local time) on April 30, associated protest planned in Buenos Aires at 10:00; allot for disruptions
-
ProtestAmericas Tactical: International Labor Day protests slated to take place in multiple cities regionwide on May 1; maintain heightened vigilance
-
ProtestArgentina Tactical: Protest by unionized workers ongoing outside Congreso in Buenos Aires as of 13:00 (local time) on April 29; allot for disruptions
-
ProtestArgentina Tactical: Several civil society groups, unions to gather at Plaza de Mayo, Buenos Aires from 11:00 (local time) on April 27; allot for disruptions