Buenos Aires Province Reaches Wage Deal

The Buenos Aires provincial government reached an agreement this Friday with the majority of teacher unions and public administration representatives on a 3% increase in wages for January, based on October's salaries, plus a retroactive payment for December proportional to half a year-end bonus. This means provincial workers will see a 4.5% increase in their take-home pay in January. According to a government communiqué, this is a 'substantial improvement' over a previous offer. The government has committed to reopening negotiations in February. Authorities acknowledge the complex fiscal context due to reduced national transfers and a sharp drop in revenue, but reaffirm their commitment to working conditions. However, critics have emerged. The Teachers' Federation (FEB) rejected the deal, arguing it represents a real increase of only 37,475 pesos for a new teacher in February. The FEB stated they cannot accept further wage deterioration, though they noted the government's promise to reopen talks in early February. Left-wing groups also criticized the agreement, calling the negotiations a 'mockery' just four months after the last raise.