Argentina’s government is putting pressure on public school teachers to accept a wage increase limited to 22% this year, less than a limit the educators have set as a condition for classes starting as planned on March 5.
If there is no agreement by Wednesday "we will exhaust the instances of negotiation," Presidential Chief of Staff Jorge Capitanich said in a televised press conference. "There will be a unilateral declaration by the executive branch."
The declaration would mean that the wage increase would be enforced by a presidential decree.
Teachers have said they want at least a 35% increase in the base salary to keep pace with inflation, which many economists expect to surpass 40% this year.
"Classes won't start if there isn't a serious proposal," Roberto Baradel, secretary general of SUTEBA, the biggest teacher’s union in the province of Buenos Aires, said on Friday. He said that 25% or less would be classified as "not serious."
After the government made the 22% offer on Friday, both sides have discussed how to proceed with negotiations, which are expected to resume on Monday.
Other unions are following the talks as a barometer of what they can expect to negotiate.
The government are reluctant to go beyond 20% because they fear the effect of increased wages would be accelerated inflation, because employers may have to raise prices or boost sales to sustain profits.
By Charles Newbery
englishnews@aa.com.tr
