30/07/2026 09:33 - Economia
On July 29, 2026, the first formal hearing called by Argentina's Labor Secretariat between the Unión Obrera Metalúrgica (UOM) — the country's main metalworkers union — and the Cámara Argentina del Acero (Argentine Steel Chamber) ended without a deal. The chamber, which represents giants like Ternium and Acindar, put forward a proposal for the so-called Rama 21 (steel sector) that the union side rejected as insufficient. Both parties will meet again on August 6, 2026.
For international readers: paritarias are collective bargaining rounds that set wages and conditions for entire industries in Argentina, often with government mediation. The UOM is one of the most powerful unions in the country, representing over 100,000 workers in metalworking, steel, and automotive parts.
Since May 22, 2026, the UOM has been under court-ordered intervention after elections that would have confirmed Abel Furlán as leader were annulled. The appointed trustee, Alberto Biglieri, selected the bargaining delegates. This was confirmed by the National Labor Appeals Chamber (Sala VIII) after the Labor Secretariat initially refused to recognize them.
With no new agreement signed, the salary scales remain unchanged from July. According to Clarín, the Ingreso Mínimo Global de Referencia (IMGR) — a reference minimum income — stays at ARS 1,036,390 per month. Union sources say this is below the poverty line, affecting about 60% of workers in the broader metalworking sector.
| Category (Monthly) | Salary August 2026 (ARS) |
|---|---|
| Administrative 1° (Group A) | 833,257.48 |
| Administrative 2° (Group A) | 924,732.49 |
| Administrative 3° (Group A) | 1,067,759.96 |
| Administrative 4° (Group A) | 1,166,170.85 |
| Technical 1° (Group B) | 833,257.48 |
| Technical 2° (Group B) | 924,875.28 |
| Technical 3° (Group B) | 988,568.62 |
| Technical 4° (Group B) | 1,121,394.56 |
| Technical 5° (Group B) | 1,166,216.36 |
| Technical 6° (Group B) | 1,276,880.99 |
| Auxiliary 1° (Group C) | 801,577.24 |
| Auxiliary 2° (Group C) | 872,358.95 |
| Auxiliary 3° (Group C) | 992,754.70 |
| Category | Hourly Rate (ARS) |
|---|---|
| General Entry | 4,313.43 |
| Skilled Operator | 4,672.74 |
| Semi-Skilled | 5,036.08 |
| Specialized Operator | 5,387.45 |
| Multi-Specialized Operator | 5,695.63 |
| Skilled Worker (Oficial) | 5,958.84 |
| Multi-Skilled Worker | 6,418.60 |
| CNC Operator (Senior) | 6,418.60 |
| Senior Multi-Skilled Worker | 6,868.42 |
While informal talks continue with chambers like ADIMRA and AFAC, the formal bargaining for Rama 17 (metalworking) has no set date. This sector is estimated to be 13–14 percentage points behind inflation, amid a broader industrial downturn with factory closures and falling output. Any future deal may include retroactive increases.
Original sources (in Spanish):
Alfredo S. Quiroga
