Subway workers announce they will not extend the strike

Subway workers announced they will not extend the subway and tram strike that started in the morning. Metrovías employees are demanding that the government grant their union a legal status to let them splinter from the UTA transport workers' union.

"We can't confirm if we will go on with the strike, we will meet at 9pm to establish what measures we will take," said one of the subway delegates during a press conference.

A 24-hour subway and tram strike started this morning in Buenos Aires City, buses and taxis were full as all subway services were cancelled.

Some clashes were reported on Line B, between workers and the police, in the Federico Lacroze station. Some trains of the latter line were found vandalized, with the seats broken. Metrovías accuses the strikers of causing those damages in order to prevent the company from maintaining an emergency service.

Néstor Segovia, a prominent leader of subway workers, warned the strike might be extended for another day. "I will die for the subway workers' rights," he said.

Segovia underlined that "the strike could go on" for another 24 hours. The head of the protestors reported pressures from the company, which he said was "spying on them, threatening them and paying wages late."

His accusations were backed by a former Metrovías head of security, who gave details about a "spying system" that the company was allegedly using to "pressure union leaders, and Segovia in particular."

Carlos Taborda, spokesman for the Line B workers, denied the protestors made use of any violence. "The companies always accuse the workers," he said. "The minimal service could not be maintained for the sole reason that there are no employees habilitated to drive the trains as they are on strike," he added.

This early start of the strike also led to commuters to use their cars to reach the city's main business areas, prompting traffic jams and delays.

Finish the text on Buenos Aires Herald.