The United Steelworkers union in Canada is standing in solidarity with students, teachers, and university workers nationwide in Argentina who are marching and protesting the defunding of public education by the far-right government of its president, Javier Milei.
A presidential veto was enacted to defund the budget to support public education and universities across Argentina. Public universities account for 80% of higher education student enrollment in the country. A bill passed by the Argentinian Congress was meant to improve funding for public universities, where many teachers and university workers earn below the poverty line and spending has not kept up with very high inflation levels in the country.
Following austerity measures that have already seen public cuts to health, pensions and other social spending, Milei’s government refuses to boost and update public university funding, jeopardizing the ability of post-secondary institutions to operate, retain staff and support students’ learning.
The United Steelworkers Union in Canada represents 225,000 members in various sectors of the Canadian economy, including thousands of university workers across the province of Ontario. Our union supports a robust public funding model for education and stands with all university workers who experience stagnant wages and job precarity while threatening students’ right to access higher education.
We support the mobilization efforts taking place across the country, alongside other social and labour groups. Argentina is facing an aggressive campaign of cuts to social spending, an erosion of workers’ rights and half of its population is now living in poverty. We stand in solidarity, and demand increased public funding for education and universities.
Marty Warren, Canadian National Director
Kelly J. Orser, President, Local 2010
John Ankenman, President, Local 1998
John Tartt, President, Local 4120
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