Moyano alleges less severe ‘Rodrigazo’ taking place

Following Argentine Industrial Union (UIA) President José Ignacio de Mendiguren’s comment last week that this year’s collective bargaining could lead to a wage-price race with consequences similar to the 1975 “Rodrigazo,” anti-government CGT umbrella-union leader Hugo Moyano affirmed yesterday that such developments were indeed taking place, “because prices continue to rise.”

Despite Mendiguren’s expressions of regret yesterday at having compared current economic conditions with those of over 35 years ago, characterized by major devaluation, steep increases in public utility rates, and inflation soaring to over 180 percent, Moyano alleged the government “thinks we are in Switzerland,” and that wages are “losing their purchasing-power” because of “inflation.”

Mendiguren went back on his comparison by suggesting the two “situations are not comparable because at that time there was weak leadership, it was a different period in Argentina.”

The CGT leader recognized that current conditions are not as severe as they were during Isabel Perón’s presidency, but asserted that “the government has to be very careful with the issue of inflation” and respond to the workers’ demands so as to avoid unions having to “take a tougher stance.”

Moyano went on to discuss the long-standing demand for family benefits, affirming that some “do not receive (family benefits) for their children but who pay income tax.”

With regard to the general demand for 25 percent wage hikes demanded by most unions, the teamster union leader ironically quipped: “If they do not believe 25 percent to be appropriate, we will bring in members of Congress, who received 100 percent increases, to discuss (the issue.)”

Regarding strikes, he assured: “We are rational; if we have to make decisions, we announce them with plenty of time.”

Moyano also hit out at Mendiguren, claiming statements such as those about the “Rodrigazo” were used to “frighten society” and that employers also want “wages to lose their purchasing-power.”

— Herald with DyN, Ambito.com