Argentina: record fine imposed on a trade union with conflict and tensions at their highs

Argentina’s Labor Minister has levied a record fine of ARS 180 million (€25 million) on the powerful Camioneros transport union headed by Hugo Moyano. The reason for the fine lies in the union’s decision to maintain strike action at the end of 2017 amid the then tense pension reforms debate when the social partners had continued discussions as intended by the obligatory conciliation procedure. Camioneros had been calling for a bonus payment to compensate for 2017 inflation while the law states that mobilization calls should halt in situations when trade unions are undertaking obligatory conciliation procedures.
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So what does this unprecedented fine entail? An ARS 4,430 (€137) fine for each of the more than 180,000 Camioneros union members. “If we pay this fine then the health insurance scheme will be bankrupt. And I will go right up to the door of the Health Ministry so that they take on the responsibility,” retorted Hugo Moyano. In Argentina, workers’ health cover is funded by employee contributions to the trade union and the trade unions manage the health schemes. Camioneros has already announced it

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