110 BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - Leftist union members shut down the Buenos Aires subway system with a one-day strike Thursday, causing huge traffic jams as commuters drove, packed buses or struggled to hail taxis.
Subway workers walked off the job to demand higher wages and better working conditions, disrupting the commute for an estimated 1 million passengers.
"I've tried for the longest time and can't even get a taxi," said Nicole Blas, an office worker who failed three times in three minutes to wave down a passing cab.
All five subway lines were mostly shut down before dawn, though operator Metrovias said it had reached agreement with most of its unions Wednesday night. A leftist union, still balking at terms, called the strike.
The chaos soured the mood in the capital, two days after commuters at a busy railroad station rioted over delays.
During rush hour Tuesday, passengers angry over train cancellations burned a ticket booth, looted shops and clashed with police, who responded with rubber bullets and tear gas. Some 21 people were injured and 16 arrested.
Thursday evening, Todo Noticias network broadcast images of bumper-to-bumper gridlock on main avenues exiting the capital. Hundreds of people could be seen crowding sidewalks, opting instead to walk home from work.
"This is bad, really bad," said 27-year-old lawyer Gonzalo Soler, who walked miles to work. "I don't want to ride the buses because they are all packed."
The strike was the latest in a series of conflicts by workers demanding pay increases to offset inflation expected to top 10 percent this year. President Nestor Kirchner recently authorized wage hikes of 15 to 16.5 percent for some major unions, including truckers.
But other groups are pressing for increases of up to 30 percent, including restaurant and food workers contemplating strikes next week.
Meanwhile, the subway workers who walked out Thursday reported no immediate agreement.
No comments:
Post a Comment