City Gov't and teachers clash over strikes

City Education Minister, Esteban Bullrich, declared that “teachers who go on strike, will not get paid for today,” after labelling the planned 24-hour strike and protest rallies that took place in the city of Buenos Aires, "completely unjustified."

The city government member recognized that it is within their “constitutional rights” to complain about measures; however he did also question why they hadn’t waited for his appearance today in the City Legislature downtown, where he will explain the project which will change the Teacher’s Statute. 

“What is more anti-democratic than not carrying a debate?” Bullrich asked.

The general secretary of the Education Employee Union (UTE), Eduardo López, responded in defense of the union stating, “He is mistaken if he thinks he can pressure teachers by discounting wages.”

Teachers from fifteen different unions across the City of Buenos Aires began the planned 24-hour strike today. A march to the City Legislature was also tookplace toward the teachers’ rejection of a bill that aims to eliminate their Classification and Disciplinary Boards, the bodies in charge of assessing teachers’ performance and appointing them.

The following unions were striked today: UTE, ADEF, ADEMYS, ADIA, AEP, AMET, CAMYP, COMPROMISO, CPD, EDUCAES, SEDEBA, SEDUCA, SUETRA, SUTECBA and the UDA. The march is to take place at 2 pm along Avenida de Mayo and Chacabuco streets.