University unions call for a strike in defense of education. The University Funding Law was ratified by both chambers after President Javier Milei's veto. It mandates the convening of negotiations to adjust the salaries of teaching and non-teaching staff based on inflation, the updating of operational costs, and the creation of funds for infrastructure, scholarships, strategic careers, and academic activities. University unions are calling for a strike to force the government to pay what is owed by law. In line with this, they also demanded the convening of negotiations and the urgent implementation of the University Funding Law, considering them «essential instruments to guarantee decent working conditions and the sustainability of the public education system». On the other hand, the Guild Association of Teachers of the University of Buenos Aires (AGD-UBA) also decided to join the 72-hour strike with the same demands, criticizing the 2026 budget defended by Torrendell and Álvarez: «it is a war budget against education». In the same vein, CONADU warned that if the Government persists in its refusal to apply the legislation, the conflict will escalate and affect the start of the 2026 academic year. Meanwhile, the Extraordinary Congress of CONADU Histórica – which counted with the participation of 84 representatives of grassroots associations from all over the country – resolved to also join the 72-hour strike to continue the union action plan in defense of the public university and salaries. It also establishes a progressive funding scheme, which goes from 1% of GDP in 2026 to 1.5% in 2031. Teachers from all over the country, united in CONADU, CONADU Histórica and AGD-UBA, resolved through congresses and popular consultations to hold a 72-hour strike for this Wednesday 12, Thursday 13 and Friday 14 of November, demanding from the national Government – in particular, from the Secretary of Education, Carlos Torrendell, and his Undersecretary of University Policies, Alejandro Álvarez – the compliance with the University Funding Law, the reopening of negotiations, and the rejection of the 2026 Budget project, which eliminates funding for compulsory education, science, technology, and technical education. After a Plenary of General Secretaries, the National Federation of University Teachers (CONADU) resolved by a large majority to hold a 72-hour strike day against salary cuts in national universities, the compliance with the University Funding Law, and in rejection of the 2026 Budget project, which eliminates funding for compulsory education, science, technology, and technical education. The claim is directed against the adjustment policies of the Government of Javier Milei in general, and, in particular, against the Secretary of Education, Carlos Torrendell, and his Undersecretary of University Policies, Alejandro Álvarez. In a joint statement, CONADU expressed: «there was also total agreement among the unions across the country to affect the start of the 2026 academic year if the Government does not advance in the implementation of the University Funding Law, and to judicialize the claim for the opening of negotiations, in articulation with the University Front».
