President Javier Milei instructed the Secretariat of Transport to fine the train and bus unions that joined the strike on February 19. According to Noticias Argentinas agency, the fines range from 70 billion pesos for the Union of Tramway Drivers (UTA) and 20 billion pesos for La Fraternidad, as both unions joined the strike called by the General Confederation of Labor (CGT). Although the initial idea was to proceed with the removal of the union's legal status, the libertarian administration opted to redefine the strategy and impose monetary fines after they failed to comply with the mandatory conciliation. "What we wanted was to send the message that violating a conciliation is serious," the government stated. "They must comply with the law," said an important source to the agency. The decision was made after both unions violated the mandatory labor conciliation procedure, which for UTA was in effect from February 10 to 26, while for La Fraternidad it took place from the 4th to the same date. Awaiting the payments, the libertarian administration warns that this is a "new opportunity" for the unions and guarantees that if they choose to ignore the payment, they will revive the idea of applying the maximum penalty with the removal of the union's legal status.
