A Drastic Move to Resolve a Financial Crisis
In the midst of a deep financial crisis, Supermercados Toledo, one of the most iconic supermarket chains in Mar del Plata, Argentina, made a drastic decision: it sold one of its branches to raise funds and settle outstanding wages owed to its employees. The transaction was confirmed during a hearing at the Regional Delegation of the Ministry of Labor in Mar del Plata, although the specific store sold was not disclosed.
According to union representatives, the workers who were employed at that branch will be relocated to other locations within the chain, so the sale does not, for now, imply a loss of jobs.
The Agreement That Unblocked the Conflict
The company had initially paid only 40% of July wages, leaving 60% pending. This delay triggered assemblies and a work stoppage starting the previous Friday. After the sale, Toledo committed before the Ministry of Labor to complete the payment this Friday, August 14, 2026. The unions accepted the proposal and lifted the measures.
The signed agreement establishes that the company will pay the full balance and that there will be no sanctions for workers who participated in the protests. Additionally, a weekly working group was created with union and company representatives to monitor the situation.
A Structure of 1,800 Employees
Supermercados Toledo has 1,800 direct workers distributed across five divisions: supermarkets, bakery plant, cured meats, poultry processing, and pork slaughter. Of that total, about 1,400 belong to the Commerce Employees Union (Secza), while the rest are affiliated with Camioneros, Uatre, and Maestranza.
In the supermarket business, the company operates 24 large stores and 15 Mini Toledo shops in Mar del Plata, plus branches in Pinamar, Coronel Vidal, Santa Clara del Mar, Miramar, Tres Arroyos, Necochea, and Balcarce.
Background of Payment Delays
The general secretary of Secza, Guillermo Bianchi, explained that salary problems have been ongoing for months. The company used to make a first deposit on the fourth business day and complete the rest 48 hours later, a practice the union questioned for fear it would become installment payments. There were also delays with the mid-year bonus (aguinaldo) for June, which was initially attempted to be paid in three installments and finally paid in two.
Bianchi linked the deterioration of the relationship to the current management, led by Bernabé Toledo, son of founder Antonio Toledo, who passed away. “We have been dragging issues for a long time, but since Antonio Toledo's death we have had major disagreements with the current management,” he said.
Concern for the Future
While the sale of the branch allowed the immediate conflict to be resolved, union concern remains about the continuity of jobs. So far, there have been no layoffs, but the company has not replaced workers who retired or resigned. Additionally, a restructuring of liabilities is being analyzed.
The context of falling consumption also hits the sector. “Supermarkets are in trouble. They are very large spaces, and people today only buy what they need,” Bianchi said. The Ministry of Labor will keep the proceedings open for 30 days to verify compliance with the agreement.