The province of Neuquén woke up this Tuesday without urban or intercity bus services, surprising hundreds of users who gathered at transport stops from early on. The Motor Transport Union (UTA) of the region decided to join the national strike called by the bus drivers' union, leaving lines such as KoKo, Pehuenche, Cole, and other urban and intercity services out of circulation, while only long-distance services are operating normally.
It is estimated that at least 100,000 people in the provincial capital and its surroundings will be affected by the lack of public transportation throughout the day. The union secretary of UTA Neuquén, Gabriel Ceballos, explained that the strike was called due to the lack of wage progress at the national level.
Amid the situation, Ceballos pointed out that the companies offered a wage increase of only $70,000, a figure far from the $500,000 being requested. The union secretary mentioned that the National Government does not approve an increase greater than 3.5%, which has generated discontent in the sector. Additionally, he noted that the municipality did not intervene in the negotiations and stated that "there was no possibility to avoid the strike because mandatory conciliation has already ended."
Ceballos lamented the situation of the thousands of users affected by the strike and emphasized that, although there is no direct conflict in Neuquén, the lack of national progress impacts the provinces. He stressed that, in this context, "there is nothing to negotiate," making clear the union's stance given the lack of proposals considered fair for transport workers.
