Argentina's state workers' union calls national strike for salary hikes, against job cuts

Argentina's state workers' union, the Association of State Workers (ATE), has called for a national strike and mobilization on Monday, August 3. The union plans to march to the Ministry of Economy to demand salary improvements. ATE National Secretary General Rodolfo Aguiar stated that state workers' salaries should be more than double their current levels. He cited a real-terms salary cut of over 45% and a more than 900% increase in public service costs since President Milei took office. The planned protest coincides with the start of the school year in some regions, and ATE is considering joining forces with the Confederation of Education Workers (CTERA). In addition to demanding an emergency salary increase, the strike aims to oppose the dismantling of state agencies and the subsequent loss of public sector jobs. Aguiar also expressed concern about the high level of debt among state workers, noting that many are resorting to informal lenders, which he described as dangerous. Official data shows that salary increases in the National Public Administration reached 12.9% by June 2026, while inflation during the same period was 16.9%.