Petróleos Sudamericanos faces union strike in Mendoza

The Sindicato del Personal Jerárquico y Profesional del Petróleo de Cuyo y La Rioja has filed a formal complaint against Petróleos Sudamericanos S.A. (PS Energy) with the Mendoza Labor Subsecretariat. The union is protesting layoffs, pressure on contractors, and the blocking of union representatives from entering operational sites.

The conflict intensified after union representatives were prevented from entering facilities to address the dismissal of two senior workers from the contractor SUREN. The union, led by Secretary General Julián Matamala, documented the incident via a notary act and described it as an institutional attack on the freedom of union representation.

The union has warned of a “shrinkage policy” by the operator that impacts workers and local small-to-medium enterprises through contract terminations and structural reductions. A direct action strike intended to affect production is scheduled for Wednesday, August 19.