Gestamp workers speak outside the factory earlier today (photo: Gestamp union press)
A conflict between workers and the Gestamp auto parts company continued without a resolution today, despite a mandatory conciliation issued by the Buenos Aires provincial government.
The dispute began last week after nine workers that were among 67 laid off by the company occupied the plant in Escobar, north of Buenos Aires, blocking operations. On Saturday, the provincial Labour Ministry ordered a conciliation for 15 days to end the protests and reincorporate the workers while negotiations can continue to reach a permanent solution.
The agreement, signed by Gestamp and the workers, was set to come into force today, but workers say the company is still not letting them enter the factory for reasons of “health and safety”. However, workers accused the company of failing to comply with the order, and maintaining an illegal “lock out”.
“The company told us that there would be no production today because they are supposedly sorting out the machinery,” said one of the nine protesters, Roberto Amador. “We don’t believe them – they had all weekend to do that. The company is manoeuvring to not comply with the mandatory conciliation.”
The workers’ protest has been supported by various social organisations and leftist political parties, though also drew criticism from other quarters.
Cabinet Chief Jorge Capitanich said this morning that “political actions or illegal measures prevent an industry from functioning.” The conflict has disrupted production at major auto plants – including Volkswagen, Ford and Peugeot-Citroën – that have not received parts from Gestamp.
On Saturday, President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner urged the provincial government to act to bring an end to the dispute, adding that workers do not defend their jobs by “occupying or damaging factories.”
There was also criticism from the Union of Mechanics and Auto Sector Workers (SMATA), which has declared itself in a state of “alert and mobilisation”. SMATA leader Ricardo Pignanelli said the protest was backed by political parties Partido Obrero (PO) and Partido de los Trabajadores Socialistas (PTS), and threatened the jobs of hundreds of other workers.
Amador rejected these claims today, saying Pignanelli was a “serial liar”. Speaking about the occupation, Amador added that: “We showed the company, SMATA, and the provincial and national governments that the workers’ struggle will triumph over all of those who want to bear the burden of the crisis.”
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