Argentina's public university system is at a standstill this week. A national strike began in the early hours of Tuesday, August 18, and will run uninterrupted until Saturday, August 22 across all national universities. The action, called by the CONADU Histórica teachers' union, has broad support from faculty, administrative staff, and students, who are demanding the national government comply with Law 27.795 on University Financing and address a pressing salary shortfall.
According to the unions, recent salary increases have fallen far behind Argentina's soaring inflation rate. They claim the government owes an accumulated salary adjustment of 28.5%, with no update in July and no confirmed figures for August. Beyond wages, the protest demands include the restoration of the FONID (a national teacher incentive fund), an updated minimum salary guarantee, funding for training programs, and full enforcement of the law that ensures universities can function, student scholarships are paid, and university hospitals remain open.
Main Rally at Palacio Pizzurno
The epicenter of the protest will be Wednesday, August 19 at 11 AM, with a major rally and march in front of the Palacio Pizzurno, the headquarters of Argentina's Secretariat of Education in Buenos Aires. Students, professors, and staff from across the country are expected to converge there to demand the full implementation of the financing law and an urgent salary boost.
Throughout the week, the strike includes public classes, informational picket lines, and various activities on campus to highlight the budget cuts affecting the sector. The AGD-UBA (the teachers' association at the University of Buenos Aires) is going further, advocating for an indefinite strike until the law is fully enforced.
Southern Patagonia Joins the Fight
In the country's interior, the Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia Austral (UNPA) is having a decisive week. The local teachers' association, ADIUNPA, has confirmed its adherence to the national strike, affecting its campuses in Río Gallegos, San Julián, Caleta Olivia, and Río Turbio. At UNPA, student groups like the Comité por Miriam Bregman are organizing open assemblies to coordinate actions and strengthen the defense of public, free, and quality education.
"The national government's plan seeks to empty out universities in the interior and steal the future from young people. We are not spectators of this adjustment: we are organizing in every classroom and hallway to actively join the fight plan," said student representatives from the Committee. They are also helping build momentum for the "Marcha de la Bronca" (March of Anger), planned for September 19, and calling for unity among all university sectors to vote on an ongoing action plan.
Key Demands at a Glance
- Full implementation of Law 27.795 on University Financing
- 28.5% salary increase to recover lost purchasing power
- Restoration of FONID (national teacher incentive fund)
- Updated salary floor and training funds
- Guaranteed funding for universities, scholarships, and university hospitals
A Conflict Spanning Over 300 Days
Argentina's Law 27.795, passed in 2025, mandates the automatic adjustment of university budgets and salaries based on inflation. However, the national government has argued that full implementation could jeopardize the country's fiscal balance, leading to budget vetoes, non-compliance, and a legal battle now before the courts. It is estimated that the law has been ignored for more than 300 days, prompting this week of intense national protest.
The conflict is not just about salaries. University leaders and unions warn that budget shortfalls threaten research projects, infrastructure maintenance, and the very survival of institutions that serve over two million students. A key judicial hearing on the unions' lawsuit is scheduled for Thursday, August 21. Meanwhile, the university community is bracing for a week of high mobilization, hoping the government will finally respond to a crisis that affects the entire scientific and technological system of the country.
Sources: MinutoUno · Clarín · La Izquierda Diario