Labor union elections in Uruguay and Argentina

In late August and early September 2026, various labor union elections in Uruguay and Argentina faced scrutiny regarding procedural integrity.

In Uruguay, the Federación Uruguaya de Magisterio (FUM) began a voting period for national and departmental authorities, utilizing mobile ballot boxes in the Cerro Largo department to assist affiliated teachers.

In Argentina, electoral processes were met with significant controversy. In the province of Jujuy, educators from the Asociación de Educadores Provinciales (ADEP) raised concerns over transparency, citing a reduction in the voter registry from 7,000 to 3,900 and the centralization of polling stations.

Simultaneously, the Unión Tranviarios Automotor (UTA) union faced legal challenges following allegations of widespread irregularities. Legal representative Leandro Recalde reported that approximately 3,000 members were missing from national rolls and claimed that opposition lists faced intimidation. Specific complaints included the distribution of voter rolls without addresses, the inclusion of deceased or ineligible individuals on registries, and threats against female candidates. The Justicia Nacional del Trabajo has requested an urgent explanation from the UTA regarding these claims.

By late September, the Argentine judiciary intervened in the UTA elections, postponing the vote from October 7–8 to December 17–18. Room I of the National Chamber of Labor Appeals identified discrepancies in the voter registry, noting that nearly 2,870 processed departures lacked exact termination dates. The court also flagged irregular polling station distribution, where some tables had over 600 voters while others had only one, potentially compromising vote secrecy. UTA Secretary General Roberto Fernández denied the allegations, claiming the legal action was an attempt by the opposition ‘Lista Negra’ to ‘judicialize union politics.’