A five-day strike hits Argentina's public universities from Tuesday, August 18 to Saturday, August 22, as unions demand the government enforce the University Funding Law and address salary gaps of up to 31.2%. Protests include a rally at the Education Ministry and a 'banderazo' at La Plata University. The action, called by CONADU Histórica, also features a judicial hearing on Friday as universities fight for budget compliance.

What is being demanded and why

The strike, called by CONADU Histórica (a major federation of university teachers), affects morning and afternoon shifts, with partial or total cancellation of classes depending on each institution. The main demand is that President Javier Milei's government implement the law passed by Congress 300 days ago but still not enforced. The law establishes a funding scheme for universities, including updates to teaching salaries, scholarships, and university hospital budgets.

Unions also point out that recent salary increases have lagged behind accumulated inflation. According to a report from the Frente de Sindicatos Unidos (FreSU), in July a worker needed a minimum income of $3,065,161 (Argentine pesos) to cover nine basic needs defined by the Constitution, far above the official Minimum Vital and Mobile Wage of $372,400. The INDEC (national statistics bureau) set the Total Basic Basket (CBT) at $1,564,716.

The conflict is also in court

Universities hold a precautionary measure issued in December and confirmed by the Court of Appeals in March, ordering the salary recomposition to be paid. The Supreme Court rejected the government's last appeal on June 25, leaving the measure in force under Judge Martín Cormick (Federal Contentious Court No. 11). The judge has scheduled a hearing for this Friday, August 21, which could bring news.

The Interuniversity National Council (CIN), which filed the lawsuit, insists the precautionary measure must be enforced immediately and has requested the court to order the government to comply, with the possibility of filing criminal charges against officials for disobedience and imposing fines on the state.

Protest schedule

  • Wednesday, August 19: at 11 AM, the Argentine University Federation (FUA) will hold a rally and march in front of the Palacio Pizzurno, headquarters of the Secretary of Education.
  • Wednesday, August 19: at 6 PM, a 'banderazo' (flag-waving protest) at the Rectorate of the National University of La Plata (street 7 between 46 and 47), called by ADULP, ATULP, and students, under the motto 'Banderazo for the University and Sovereignty'.
  • Thursday 27 and Friday 28: a 48-hour strike called by CONADU (another teaching federation).

Also planned are the 'Tents for the University and Sovereignty' in front of Pizzurno and in various locations across the country, featuring open-air classes and informational pickets.

Context and outlook

The conflict has been escalating since mid-August, with days of scientific outreach and a work stoppage on Wednesday, August 12. The AGD-UBA (the teachers' association at the University of Buenos Aires) has already stated it supports maintaining the strike indefinitely until the law is fulfilled.

Union leaders stress that 'the government cannot choose which laws to obey and which to ignore,' referring to Law 27.795, which remains in force. Hope lies in Friday's hearing, which might unblock the situation and lead to a solution that ensures universities can operate and workers regain purchasing power.

Sources