Argentina's UTA union warns of layoffs and bus strike amid transport crisis

The Union Tranviarios Automotor (UTA) said the dismissals at transport company Ersa were predictable, citing a long‑standing financial crisis that began with a reduction in the fleet from 106 buses to far fewer. UTA general secretary Raúl Abraham announced legal actions to contest the firings and called for a dialogue among government, employers and the union to avert further damage.

In the province of Catamarca, UTA regional leader Roque Chanquía announced that drivers are still paid under an outdated salary scale agreed by the Federación Argentina de Transportadores por Automotor de Pasajeros (FATAP). The union demands the updated scale and retroactive payments dating back to January, warning that a bus strike could be triggered if the provincial government does not convene a negotiation table.