This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-33062165

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Argentina strike: Transport hit by second major walkout Argentina strike: Transport hit by second major walkout
(about 3 hours later)
A major transport strike in Argentina has brought parts of the country to a standstill as unions protest against high taxes and inflation.A major transport strike in Argentina has brought parts of the country to a standstill as unions protest against high taxes and inflation.
The 24-hour walkout - the second in three months - affects bus, train, plane and underground services.The 24-hour walkout - the second in three months - affects bus, train, plane and underground services.
The previous strike shut down swathes of the capital Buenos Aires after people were unable to reach their jobs. Swathes of the capital Buenos Aires ground to a halt after people were unable to reach their jobs.
The country's powerful transport unions are unhappy with the income tax floor and high inflation in the country.The country's powerful transport unions are unhappy with the income tax floor and high inflation in the country.
Tuesday's strike is also expected to disrupt waste collection, freight transport and port activity after a number of smaller unions joined the protest. Strikers set up roadblocks on Tuesday morning on the main roads leading into Buenos Aires, closing the city's Pueyrredon Bridge.
The Argentine Workers' Central Union staged a demonstration in Buenos Aires on Monday ahead of the strike. With people unable to access parts of the city or use public transport, many businesses and schools were forced to close.
The previous strike on 31 March saw protesters block the city's Pueyrredon Bridge and forced businesses and schools to close for the day. All domestic flights and some international flights were cancelled.
Inflation threat Tuesday's strike also disrupted waste collection, freight transport and port activity after a number of smaller unions joined the protest.
Official figures put inflation in Argentina at 24% last year but private estimates reckon it was closer to 40%. On Friday the value of the Argentine peso declined to a record low of nine per US dollar. The three transport unions are protesting against a bid by the government of President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner to cap salary increases at 27%, complaining that the figure does not match the forecast 30% inflation expected this year.
Union leaders say that wage increases designed to keep pace with the country's weakening currency threaten to push many workers above the minimum tax threshold and they are demanding the government reduce taxes to help them. They are also calling for tax cuts as they say the threshold salary subjected to income tax has not been updated to keep pace with inflation, hitting lower earners.
The trade union movement in Argentina is divided into those who back the government of President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and those who think it is not doing enough to help workers. Official figures put inflation in Argentina last year at 24%, but private estimates reckon it was closer to 40%. On Friday the value of the Argentine peso declined to a record low of nine per US dollar.
Juan Carlos Schmid, head of Argentina's dredging workers union, said the strike would send a "strong signal" to the government that takes power after December's general elections
Anibal Fernandez, the government's cabinet chief, called the walkout a "political strike designed to generate confusion."
"They are obstructing people who want to go to work, the vast majority of the population," he said.
The trade union movement in Argentina is divided into those who back the government of President Fernandez and those who think it is not doing enough to help workers.
The transport unions - among the most powerful labour unions in the country - are divided among themselves over support of the government.The transport unions - among the most powerful labour unions in the country - are divided among themselves over support of the government.