Buenos Aires Transit Disrupted by Bus Drivers' Wage Protests

Bus drivers across approximately fifteen routes in Greater Buenos Aires and the metropolitan area staged coordinated protests on Friday to demand significant wage increases and better working conditions. The morning demonstrations caused widespread traffic congestion and delays for thousands of commuters traveling from the province into the City of Buenos Aires for work.

The protests, which began at 6:00 a.m., targeted several key intersections, including the access point to the Pueyrredón Bridge in Avellaneda, the terminal for line 60 in Ingeniero Maschwitz, and the junction of Rivadavia Avenue and General Paz in Ciudadela. Federal Police and Gendarmerie officers were deployed to prevent complete roadblocks and maintain traffic flow toward the capital.

Organized by workers aligned with the Brown List, who challenge the leadership of the Automotive Tramway Union (UTA) headed by Roberto Fernández, the demonstrators called for a basic monthly salary of 3,500,000 pesos. This demand more than doubles the standard baseline established in the most recent salary scale agreement.

Union delegates criticized both the employer proposals and the current trajectory of collective bargaining. Protest spokesperson and line 60 delegate Néstor Marcolín stated that management offered a minimal 1.2 percent increase, amounting to roughly 20,000 pesos, despite companies receiving operating subsidies. Marcolín argued that union leadership should be actively fighting for broader wage adjustments rather than delaying action.

In addition to higher baseline pay, the striking drivers demanded that companies cover the costs of mandatory psychophysical exams, equalize pay rates for technical staff with those of drivers, and ensure that travel allowances are paid by the fourth working day of the month and incorporated into the basic salary calculation.

The demonstrations concluded peacefully shortly after 9:00 a.m. as participants dispersed, with some drivers heading directly to their scheduled shifts. Meanwhile, ongoing wage negotiations between the UTA and business chambers continue without agreement, with the next scheduled meeting set for November 12.