Striking Argentine teachers stage protest march in capital

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – Tens of thousands of Argentine teachers marched in the capital Wednesday as part of a nationwide strike challenging the administration of President Mauricio Macri.

Unions for private and public school teachers are demanding a pay increase of 35 per cent to compensate for Argentina’s high inflation in consumer prices. Last year’s inflation rate reached 40 per cent. Provincial governments are offering raises of roughly half the teachers’ demand, varying by region.

Teachers first began striking March 6, delaying the start of classes for millions of children and hitting public schools particularly hard. Some walkouts have ended, lasting only four days in several provinces that have resumed classes.

Demonstrators blocked some of the main avenues in Buenos Aires and gathered in front of the presidential palace. Macri has criticized the strike, calling it a politically motivated move ahead of October’s congressional elections.

Macri has fired tens of thousands of state workers and slashed utility subsidies to cut government spending. His austerity measures have stoked labour unrest in a nation with a long tradition of the state providing jobs and benefits. Argentina’s largest union is calling for a nationwide strike for April 6.