A union conflict has paralyzed the activity of the Port of Rosario one month agoaccording to a complaint that the Industrial Union (UIA) sent to the Minister of Labour, Kelly Olmoswho asked to declare “essential activity” to that port to be able to resume activities and also release the goods held since the beginning of last month.
The letter, to which he had access clarionis dated December 30 and signed by the head of the UIA, Daniele Funès de Rioja. There we note the “concern” of the manufacturing body for the paralysis of the port activity, “which has been going on for almost a month and which heavily affects the production value chains with the consequent impact on the supply of the domestic and foreign markets.”
According to the UIA, the situation complicates the foreign trade operations of various companies, “in particular grain, food, automotive and home appliance exporters“who, according to the letter, have sales commitments and deadlines agreed with foreign customers, “putting export activities at risk, because it involves the violation of agreements and the consequent non-entry of foreign currency into the country”.
One of Puerto Rosario’s clients is the car manufacturer General Motorswhich has its factory in the town of General Alvear, a few kilometers away.
The conflict was triggered as a result of a series of layoffs built by the concessionaire of Piers 1 and 2 of the Port of Santa Fe, Porto Rosario terminal (TPR). The business has since been crippled by a fit of force United Argentine Port Union (SUPA).
On December 28, a week ago, the ministry in charge of Olmos ordered the compulsory conciliationwhich was supposed to return the conflict to zero sheets and getting everyone back to work while a settlement was negotiated.
that truce it was not accepted by the union, as reported by the UIA. “The workers grouped in the Unidos Portuarios Argentinos (SUPA) union have decided not to respect the mandatory conciliation and to maintain the interruption of the port activity of loading and unloading,” said Funes de Rioja. “The conflict in question not only violates the free circulation of goods in the national territory, but also, by preventing the transit of essential products and inputs for production chains of public interest, at the same time puts at stake the rights to life and health of the citizens of the country affected by this measure”.
For this reason, as stated, the manufacturing body demanded that Minister Olmos declare “essential activity“at the port of Rosario, against the background of the conflict in the port of Buenos Aires in September.
“Just as when, due to another conflict of a trade union nature, the activity of the Port of Buenos Aires and Dock Sud (terminal 4 and EXOLGAN) stopped and the declaration of its essentiallyfrom the UIA we ask the Minister to take the necessary measures for qualification as an essential service of work connected to these benefits”, added the note signed by Funes.
According to the Trade News portal, the origin of the conflict was SUPA’s request reopen parity and ask for a wage increase in line with inflation close to 100%. Hence the dealer’s decision to fire 30 operators and the measure of the strength of the SUPA requiring their reincorporation. After several twists and turns, most have been reinstated, except for five operators.
The portal added that the port concessionaire also has its own internal conflict, which became apparent in recent weeks when the Administrative Body of Puerto Rosario (Enapro) decided to remove TPR from the Board of Directors and joined the Stock Exchange of Rosario on behalf of the producers.
Source: Clarin
