Collective Bargaining: Bus Drivers Demand Salary Payments, Disruptions Expected
Bus drivers employed by Ideal de San Justo have initiated a strike on Wednesday, protesting the delayed payment of their salaries. The drivers are currently holding back tasks at the company’s headquarters. The strike, which began this morning, affects several bus lines, leaving hundreds of commuters stranded.
The cause of the strike is a dispute over the timely payment of salaries, with drivers alleging that the company has not been paying them on time. The drivers’ union, the Unión Tranviarios Automotor (UTA), has been depositing salaries since this afternoon, which is expected to lead to the full lifting of the strike by Thursday.
In a statement, a delegate for the drivers explained, "This is a strike due to the incorrect calculation of our salaries. We’ve been dealing with this situation for some time now, and it’s become unsustainable." He further stated that while the December salaries were delivered, they were not in full, with a percentage still outstanding. The company has attributed the delay to not receiving state subsidies.
The strike is expected to disrupt several bus lines in the Greater Buenos Aires area and parts of the City of Buenos Aires. Affected lines include 4, 49, 86, 88, and 502. Services are expected to resume once the outstanding salaries are paid.
Meanwhile, in unrelated news, the government of the City of Buenos Aires has announced that the minimum fare for collective transport will increase to $408.24 in March 2025, a 9.97% increase from the current $371.13. This increase, which follows an audience public hearing on February 10, will not affect bus lines operating in the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires (AMBA), which fall under the jurisdiction of the provincial and national governments.
The new fares in the City of Buenos Aires will be as follows:
- Minimum fare (up to 3 km): $408.24
- Fare for distances between 3 to 6 km: $454.78
- Fare for distances between 6 to 12 km: $489.82
- Fare for distances between 12 to 27 km: $524.89
- Fare for non-registered SUBE cards: $834.57
Beneficiaries of the Social Fare, such as ANSES-registered pensioners and retirees, will continue to enjoy a 55% discount, keeping their minimum fare at $183.71.
