- Title: ARGENTINA: General strike in Argentina grounds flights and closes banks
- Date: 20th November 2012
- Summary: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA (NOVEMBER 20, 2012) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF AEROLINEAS, AUSTRAL, LAN CHILE AND SOL AIRPLANES PARKED ON RUNWAYS AT THE JORGE NEWBERY AIRPORT HALF EMPTY TERMINAL IN AIRPORT VARIOUS OF VACANT AEROLINEAS ARGENTINAS COUNTER VARIOUS OF FLIGHT INFORMATION SCREENS SHOWING CANCELED FLIGHTS VARIOUS OF LAN AIRLINE PASSENGERS (MAINLY TOURISTS) WAITING IN LINE TO R
- Embargoed: 5th December 2012 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Argentina
- Country: Argentina
- Topics: Economy,Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA76HDHB88WMAH05N39RK1QCQ91
- Story Text: A 24-hour general strike in Argentina brings parts of the nation's bustling capital, Buenos Aires, to a standstill.
Parts of Buenos Aires, the normally hectic Argentine capital, came to a standstill on Tuesday (November 20) during a 24-hour nationwide general strike led by anti-government sectors of the General Labour Confederation (CGT) and the Central Worker's Association (CTA).
The strike - which included bus drivers, train conductors and port, airline and bank workers - followed large protests on November 8 over insecurity, soaring inflation and policy responses of President Cristina Fernandez.
Many travelers were left stranded as striking Argentine airlines grounded both domestic and international flights.
Lines formed in half empty airplane terminals as frustrated passengers tried to reschedule their flights.
"Aerolineas Argentinas, Austral, Lan, Sol and Andes airlines are not running any domestic or international flights today. The airlines directly cancelled the flights and rescheduled them for tomorrow. International flights will resume starting at midnight," said Ricardo Cirielli, secretary general of the Association of Aeronautical Technical Personnel.
National and private banks throughout the capital also closed their doors to the public to join the first general strike to hit the South American country in a decade.
Some of the main entry points into the city, such as the Pueyrredon bridge linking the province of Buenos Aires to the capital were blocked by pickets, cutting off the flow of traffic and causing havoc for commuters.
Pablo Micheli, secretary general of the CTA, one of the unions leading the strike, urged the government to reconsider employment policies.
"We challenge the government, if they don't want a strike then they should provide full employment. That they solve the labour problem in Argentina, that they stop outsourcing and under the table work that create precarious labour conditions, that the labour minister stops sucking up to businessmen, and instead truly dedicates himself to ensuring that there is decent work in our country with decent pay," said Micheli.
While some bus, train and subway lines continued to operate, numerous streets in the usually bustling capital were empty, with many businesses and hospitals also closed.
Gas stations in Buenos Aires were also closed due to striking fuel trucks.
The protests are set to end at midnight local time. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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