Michelle Sabaj
05/06/2021 3:24 PM
Clarín.com
Zonal
Updated 05/06/2021 3:24 PM
For a few weeks, different demonstrations by the workers of
buses and trains of the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires
were noted in different parts of the Buenos Aires suburbs.
The main complaints from drivers and drivers were
salary improvements
and inclusion as essential personnel in the
vaccination plan
.
Although in recent days there were sessions and virtual assemblies to mediate the situation, as well as meetings with the Ministry of Labor and Transport to try to resolve the
joint
dispute
, now the workers declared the increase "insufficient" and could not reach a decent agreement .
Now the conflict, the
chamber of transport companies
announced that they would enter an "alert instance" because they cannot "cover the costs" of staff salaries.
At the height of the second wave of coronavirus, while society is being asked to redouble its care and avoid crowds, companies announced a
progressive reduction of services, which would begin with the night shift
starting this Friday.
Claim from bus drivers on line 60 for a vaccination plan and better salary conditions.
Several firms that are in charge of public line concessions argue that they cannot raise enough to meet the wage increases demanded by workers.
The freezing of rates is another reason that they expose as a cause of the lack of funds.
The
cut in services "will begin with night hours and days with less influx of passengers"
but, the business chambers warn, "if a solution is not found, the cuts could be extended to other daytime services."
Through a statement issued this morning, five entities stated that the "lack of adequate updating of cost coverage will lead to an inevitable progressive reduction in benefits."
The communiqué was signed by the Association of Automotive Transport Entrepreneurs (AAETA), the Civil Association of Automotive Transport (ACTA) and the Business Chambers of Passenger Transport (CEAP), Urban Transport (CETUBA) and Transport of the Province of Buenos Aires. Aires (CTPBA).
"We alert the population that many companies will not be able to meet the payment of staff salaries in a timely manner. Therefore, the normal provision of services cannot be guaranteed," indicated the entities.
Demonstration of line 60 workers who demanded $ 100,000 in hand and better health control in the face of the pandemic situation
In addition, they warned that there are "the additional costs involved in working in the middle of a pandemic, complying with protocols and
not being able to have 100% of the staff."
This particular issue had taken place a couple of weeks ago when the drivers of line 60 that connects the
North Zone of the Conurbano
with the Buenos Aires neighborhood of Barracas demanded to be summoned for vaccination plans as happened with the teachers and staff of the Health.
"If they need the groups to take to the streets, we need to have the drivers vaccinated because the number of infected colleagues is terrible," declared Nestor, a driver on line 60.
On the other hand, the chamber of the sector explained that "it is increasingly difficult for them to comply with the frequencies to the maximum to guarantee social distancing, according to protocols and legal regulations."
"The hearing failed at the time and there is no exact or defined date to deal with the issue of the joint women again, therefore it
is possible that next week there will be new cuts of drivers in the accesses",
expressed Cristian, bus driver.
He also added that the obstacle exists since the union is asking for the corresponding increase, but both the companies and the Government respond that "they cannot pay or put up that money."
For now, the cameras that signed the statement do not specify how many or which lines will be affected by the cut in services.
Look also
The railroad buses are now being joined by the commuters in the suburbs: they ask to be vaccinated to continue working
As doctors and teachers, the bus drivers of the 1960s want to be vaccinated: they cut the Panamericana