A new subway stoppage, the twelfth since the conflict began, will leave lines B and C without service for three hours. According to Emova, the concessionaire, there will be about 290,000 affected users.
The Trade Association of Subway and Premetro Workers (Agtsyp) has been demanding the reduction of the weekly working day, arguing that it is necessary to reduce the exposure of workers to asbestos, still present in some formations of the network.
In addition, before the interruption of service, workers will release the turnstiles between 12 and 13 at the heads of both lines.
"To the current health crisis caused by the presence of carcinogenic material prohibited throughout the subway network, is added the provocation of the concessionaire Metrovías-Emova illegally discounted and without any justification hundreds of days of salary to workers of all lines, which mafia tightening seeks that we stop denouncing the criminal attitude they have against the health of users and workers, " The metro delegates said in a statement.
Lines B and H will not operate this Monday from 13 to 16,
Meanwhile, from Emova stressed that the measure of force will be affected by some "290,000 users", and added that it is the twelfth strike since the conflict broke out.
The company added that it is "willing to dialogue," but insisted that the reduction of the weekly working day from 6 to 5 days, and from 36 to 30 hours, "is unfeasible without affecting the operation activities of the Subway network." In addition, they added: "There is no precedent in Latin America and the world of a weekly day like the one that the AGTSyP is demanding."
As for the presence of asbestos, a mineral used as an insulator that was banned two decades ago for being health hazards, Emova reported that the measurements made on air quality in all areas of work of the subway "yield results considered adequate." And they added that they are carried out by specialized institutions and laboratories "that were validated by the Environmental Protection Agency of the Government of the City of Buenos Aires." In addition, they maintain that the unions also participate in the de-bestization plan.
The stoppages began more than a month ago with interruptions in the start of service, on two lines at once. Then they ran to more central schedules. And since last week they were extended to three-hour crackdowns.
On Friday, the protest affected lines A and C, also from 13 to 16. According to the pattern followed by the metrodelegates, the next strike would be on Wednesday, on lines D and E, although it has not yet been confirmed.
Increase
In the framework of the union protests, the fare of the Buenos Aires subway increased on Saturday. The second tranche of the so-called "fare update" planned for 2023 brought the ticket to $ 67, while the Premetro already costs $ 24.
Subterráneos de Buenos Aires Sociedad del Estado (Sbase) divided the adjustments into four sections and stipulated the values until September, when the last planned increase will take place so far.
The subway ride was $42 in February, when it jumped $58. In June it will go to $ 74 and in September it will reach $ 80. When the schedule is complete, traveling by subway will be nearly 100 percent more expensive than in February.
SC
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