While some governors parade through the courts to claim funds withheld by the Nation and the mayors also make a pilgrimage to Congress to ask that they reverse the reduction in transportation subsidies, Axel Kicillof opens his wallet: this Thursday he offered a
20% increase to the state and the teachers
in the province of Buenos Aires that would be paid in the first days of
March with February salaries
.
Kicillof militates the difference with all the policies of the new libertarian administration.
Even though
he questioned Milei
about the cut in non-automatic funds that he blocked in January (he only sent 1% of the “non-shareable” or “discretionary” resources in relation to the amount that the Province received a year ago) the governor does not cut state investment.
The increase for the
almost 630 thousand state employees
(includes administrative staff, police, health and education agents).
And it costs an estimated amount of
50 billion pesos
, according to calculations by budget experts.
The proposal was made official in the joint meetings convened by the Ministry of Labor and the
unions that bring together
public administration
agents
have already accepted the improvement
.
The unions representing
teachers will take a few days
to “consult the rank and file” before responding to the government.
However, the atmosphere that was perceived in the meeting between the authorities and the leaders of the teaching profession was
one of rapprochement
.
The governor would ensure, with this increase for the almost 360 educators in the provincial system, a start to the 2024 school year without conflicts with the Buenos Aires administration.
However, this does not determine that on March 1 – the date chosen for the reopening of classrooms after the summer break – all schools will be fully operational.
There is a threat from the Ctera to initiate a national fight plan if Javier Milei's government does not comply with the sector's requirements in the joint meetings (which it called, as reported this Thursday).
The FONID represents, in the Province, 10% to 12% of the salary of a new teacher.
The specific proposal in the joint meeting was a 20% adjustment to December salaries.
In January it had increased by 15% on that same basis and an extra 10% in remuneration on account of future increases.
The calculation does not include the portion that educators receive as a contribution from the Teacher Incentive Fund.
10 days ago, Kicillof denounced that the Nation did not send that money (guaranteed by Law since 2001) and that he had to use resources from the provincial treasury to pay the amount.
But he could not continue financing this supplement with money from his own coffers in the coming months.
After the joint meeting, ATE and UPCN accepted the proposal of a raise to be collected in March plus the commitment to review salaries in the next month of the year.
Until now, Kicillof has always been able to open classes at the beginning of the year without conflict.
This time, the approach will be towards the Nation.
Roberto Baradel – Secretary General of Suteba and member of the Ctera leadership – has already threatened with possible forceful measures.
The last strikes that Baradel ordered were against the policies of María Eugenia Vidal (2015/2019).