Argentina's CGT plots national strike and federal march against Milei labor reforms

The Confederación General del Trabajo (CGT) held a meeting of its Consejo Directivo at its historic Azopardo headquarters in Buenos Aires. Union leaders Jorge Sola, Octavio Argüello and Horacio Arreceygor announced that the central labour federation will launch a coordinated plan of action with the two CTA confederations. The strategy includes sector‑by‑sector and rotating “paros a la francesa”, assemblies, media campaigns and a future nationwide strike followed by a federal march, but no date has been set for the general strike, which is described as a tactical decision.

The plan is a response to President Javier Milei’s labour reform law, which the CGT says undermines collective bargaining, reduces workers’ rights and threatens social security. The union stresses the need to unite broader social forces – retirees, students, people with disabilities and small‑business sectors – and has also vowed to challenge the reform in the courts. Internal debate saw the more militant faction’s proposal for a 36‑hour strike rejected in favour of the staggered protest model. The CGT said the next steps will be organised through action tables that will involve regional unions and will be finalised after the World Cup, with a political programme planned for the 2027 elections.