# FATE factory labor dispute in Argentina > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/fate-factory-labor-dispute-in-argentina > Updated: 2026-10-19T11:57:20.000Z. Sources: 12. Developments: 2. Following the sudden closure of the FATE tire plant in San Fernando in February 2026, a legal conflict has emerged between the company and labor unions. Workers occupied the facility to prevent dismantling and protect approximately 920 to 2,000 jobs. In early October 2026, a court in San Isidro ordered an oral trial for 24 individuals, including SUTNA General Secretary Alejandro Crespo. They face charges of disturbance of possession and damages related to the protest. The defense has characterized the ruling as an attempt to “criminalize labor protests” and intends to appeal. By mid-October 2026, Labor Court No. 17 ordered FATE to pay 1.2 billion pesos in unpaid wages to 200 workers for the period between March and June 2026. The payment, which uses funds previously seized through preventive embargoes, is scheduled for completion by October 23. The Sindicato Único de Trabajadores del Neumático (SUTNA) described the ruling as a victory, asserting that the plant closure was an illegal lockout. The union noted that the company had previously entered a labor stability agreement in May 2025, receiving state tax benefits in exchange for a commitment not to terminate employees through June 2026. SUTNA has indicated it will appeal the wage ruling, arguing the 1.2 billion peso amount—which falls between the union’s 1.8 billion peso claim and the company’s 600 million peso argument—fails to account for inflation or seniority. Additionally, the union intends to challenge the exclusion of employees who signed voluntary retirement agreements, alleging those agreements were signed under “economic extortion.” ## Timeline ### 2026-10-19: Fate ordered to pay 1.2 billion pesos in unpaid wages to 200 workers An Argentine court ordered Fate to pay 1.2 billion pesos in unpaid wages to 200 workers following the closure of its San Fernando tire plant. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fate-ordered-to-pay-12-billion-pesos-in-unpaid-wages-to-workers ### 2026-10-08: FATE workers and union leader Alejandro Crespo face oral trial Argentine authorities have ordered an oral trial for 24 FATE factory workers, including union leader Alejandro Crespo, over a plant occupation following the facility's closure. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fate-workers-and-union-leader-alejandro-crespo-face-oral-trial --- Cite as: FATE factory labor dispute in Argentina. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/fate-factory-labor-dispute-in-argentina