The Government of the province of Buenos Aires, led by Axel Kicillof, has announced that it will deduct the salary of those teachers who join the strike called for this Wednesday, marking the start of the academic year. The strike has been driven by SUTEBA Multicolor, a faction opposing the leadership of Roberto Baradel, who had previously accepted the salary offer from the provincial Executive in the last wage negotiation.
In a statement titled "Call for Reflection," the Ministry of Labor of Buenos Aires, headed by Walter Correa, indicated that the strike lacks legitimacy, as only unions recognized by the Law of Professional Associations can call for a strike. The provincial government justifies the measure to deduct the salary from participating teachers by stating that the wage negotiation with the majority unions had already been agreed upon, establishing a 9% increase in two installments (7% in February and 2% in March).
Despite the salary agreement signed with the government of Axel Kicillof, the dissenting faction of SUTEBA decided to call for the strike in opposition to what they consider a "pittance wage negotiation" and in protest against budget cuts in education. Among the main demands are a salary in line with the family basket, salary readjustment to recover losses in purchasing power, restoration of funds cut by the national government that affect public education, the creation of new teaching positions, and improvements in school infrastructure, among other points.
Despite the official warning, SUTEBA Multicolor has confirmed the teacher strike for Wednesday, March 5, defying the decision of the provincial Executive.
