Argentina's ATE union rejects salary offer and calls for strike

The Association of State Workers (ATE) and the Union of Public and Commercial Workers (UPCN) rejected the government's July salary proposal, describing it as "very short" and insufficient to offset a loss of purchasing power that exceeds 41% since December 2023. ATE secretary Oscar Muntes said the offer adds only one percentage point and fails to include a recovery plan, while UPCN deputy secretary Carina Domínguez warned that the increase would not surpass 40,000 pesos for most salaries. Both unions announced a total work stoppage with a mobilization on Wednesday and said an active strike will be scheduled this week if negotiations do not progress.

In a related dispute, ATE leader Rodolfo Aguiar criticised President Javier Milei’s refusal to grant a public‑sector holiday for the World Cup semifinal, posting on X that the Casa Rosada hallway was empty, "not even the parrot" came. The government responded that each agency may organize internally but will not declare a formal holiday, keeping essential services operational.