Buenos Aires Governor Daniel Scioli today ruled out the possibility of granting teachers a wage increase, as thousands of doctors and other public servants in the province started a 48-hour strike today in a move to press his administration to raise their salaries.

"We know it's a right of the teachers, obviously, to voice their demands, and we ratify that schools are a priority.... However, there is no possibility of increasing wages this year."

"It's a shame, becuase when you govern, there is no bigger satisfaction that supporting workers' claims, whenever that is possible. It has been widely reported that we are facing a (difficult) year , and while the province has done important reforms, it won't be possible this year."

Teachers, grouped under the FGD trade union will not give classes and they ratified they will stage another strike on November 3, flexing their muscles to press the Daniel Scioli administration to give them a wage increase.

The strike was adopted after failed negotiations with Education and Culture Minister Mario Oporto. He ruled out any wage increase because of a tight budget in 2010.

The workers of the ATE public servants union called for a general strike at a national level, also requesting wage increases.

Meanwhile the CICOP health workers union continued a 48-hour strike that started yesterday. CICOP is also requesting the hiring of additional staff, as well as wage increases.