A fightback in Argentina

A fightback in Argentina

ARGENTINA WAS rocked by a two-day general strike last week against savage cuts designed to placate international bankers. Transport and other public sector workers as well as groups like bank workers struck solidly. Many flights were cancelled as airport workers joined the strike. Teachers and health workers also struck.

“The national strike was massively supported, especially in the provincial cities where support was almost total,” reported one Argentinian newspaper. Pickets blocked roads in many areas of the country. Unemployed workers joined rallies, pickets and protests. Austerity

The government of president Fernando de la Rua had announced a 13 percent cut in public sector workers’ pay and pensions. It was the seventh austerity budget since his election less than two years ago. Each time workers have been told the austerity measures are needed to stave off financial crisis over the country’s debts.