Gov't warns teamsters' union of 'sanctions' over 72-hour strike

Vice-President Amado Boudou warned that came out in response to the teamsters’ union announcement that they would carry a nationwide strike until Friday, and assured that “they will have to accept any sanctions the Government decides to impose” after they refused to accept a mandatory conciliation issued on Tuesday morning. He also warned that the Supply Law could be enforced.

“This strike doesn’t make any sense because negotiations are still ongoing. We need to try and find every possible exit to the argument,” Boudou said, who is currently acting as head of state since President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner is in Mexico for the G20 Summit. 

“They have a right to strike, but people also have a right to goods and services,” he added, warning that if necessary he would enforce the Supply Law.

Earlier, Labour Minister Carlos Tomada had also weighted in on the situation.

“We urged the union to seek any possible legal solution to this conflict. We don’t deny anyone their right to strike, we ask them to abide by the mandatory conciliation for fifteen days,” he said.

Speaking live on a news network, Tomada said the union’s attitude was “provocative” and recalled that if the organization led by Pablo Moyano failed to end the 72-hour strike, which could create a shortage in oil supply, they could face economic sanctions and lose their legal recognition.