Mirgor Group labor conflict in Tierra del Fuego

A labor conflict has emerged at the Mirgor Group plants in Tierra del Fuego, centered on mass protests organized by the Unión Obrera Metalúrgica (UOM) in Río Grande. The dispute follows a series of dismissals, including 25 union delegates. Union leaders have accused CEO José Alonso of attempting to intimidate workers, while the Mayor of Ushuaia, Walter Vuoto, has demanded the reinstatement of workers, noting the company’s social responsibility under the province’s industrial promotion regime.

In response to the situation, the UOM held an extraordinary assembly to address declining purchasing power and job instability. The union issued a statement of “unconditional support and solidarity” for the Mirgor workers and rejected a wage proposal from Afarte, labeling it “provocative.” The union has since established an action plan to protect jobs and demanded that company executives meet to debate collective bargaining terms.

The conflict escalated following the company’s decision to dismiss 300 workers in Río Grande. In an effort to facilitate peaceful dialogue and preserve local employment, the Subsecretaría de Trabajo Zona Norte has extended the period of mandatory conciliation for five business days. This extension, set to begin on September 1, 2026, is intended to allow both parties to analyze proposals and exhaust all conciliatory instances to maintain social peace.