Pit-Cnt calls for strike, clashes with government over budget

Uruguay's largest labor confederation, Pit-Cnt, is staging a partial general strike to protest what it calls "fiscal restriction" by the government, particularly concerning public education funding. The strike, scheduled for Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., aims to pressure the government ahead of its upcoming budget review.

Teachers and university staff will observe a full 24-hour strike, while private education workers will join the partial stoppage. A central protest will take place in Montevideo, highlighting the confederation's demands. These include allocating 6% of GDP to education and 1% to research, alongside a labor reform that would reduce working hours without impacting salaries.

Pit-Cnt general secretary José Lorenzo López expressed confidence in the strike's impact, citing the "technical rigor" behind the union's proposals. However, he voiced concern over the government's budget plans, which he believes will not only freeze spending but also limit the disbursement of allocated credits to what has already been executed. "This is a significant austerity policy," López stated.

The union also plans to request a meeting with President Yamandú Orsi to discuss their grievances. López warned that if no "radical change" occurs following these discussions, the situation is likely to escalate. The confederation's platform also includes calls for a "public" social security system and the "strengthening" of state-owned companies, alongside solidarity with Cuba and Palestine.