Today, Hugo Moyano will hold his General Confederation of Labour (CGT) elections, despite objections from both the national government and opposition unions within the CGT.
Moyano is expected to be reelected this afternoon as Secretary General of the CGT, as the only CGT unions planning to attend are those loyal to the controversial leader. Moyano is currently serving his second term as CGT Secretary General.
Minstry of Labour Carlos Tomada has already declared today’s elections null and void, and called for the CGT to determine a new election. Today’s date was set at a 24th April CGT congress meeting, but Tomada declared the proceedings invalid because the minimum required number of CGT congress members were not present at that meeting.
On Tuesday, national Senator Aníbal Fernández criticised the union leader on the radio. Yesterday, Moyano’s son Pablo Moyano criticized the federal government’s encouraging delegates not to participate in today’s elections.
The elections are to be held in the Ferrocarril Oeste stadium in Caballito. Proceedings began a little before 11:30am this morning, and Moyano is expected to speak at 2pm.
Supporters of Moyano have declared that 901 of the 1,651 union representatives are present. This attendance of 54.6% would meet the minimum required participation.
Over 100 CGT member unions are expected to participate in today’s proceedings, although as of last night Moyano could not specify which groups would be in attendance. It is estimated that as many as 40,000 people could gather at the stadium today.
Controversy over today’s proceedings have highlighted deepening fractions within the CGT umbrella union.
Anti-Moyanist CGT unions plan to hold a separate election on 3rd October. 13 CGT union leaders declared their opposition for Moyano and their support of opposition candidate Antonio Caló, currently leader of the Metal Workers Union (UOM). Among those unions that oppose Moyano are the “Gordos” (“Fat Cats”) and the “Independientes”.
The strength of Moyano’s popularity appears shaky, as some CGT unions that had previously supported the leader have begun to distance themselves.
At present, there are three leading factions within the CGT. In addition to the unions that support Moyano and those that support Caló, the third branch is a strong group of 56 unions that support Luis Barrionuevo. Barrionuevo, who directs the hospitality workers’ unions, did support Moyano in the 27th June demonstration in Plaza de Mayo.
Today the Rail Worker’s Union (UF), which had supported Moyano until yesterday, announced that they would also refrain from participating in today’s proceedings. Despite declaring themselves in opposition to Moyano, the UF has not allied itself with the unions that are supporting Caló.
Speaking on the La Red radio station, UF Secretary of Institional Relations Mario Rodríguez observed that the union believes “[Moyano’s] time is over”.
Rodríguez further stated that the next CGT leader “will have to be democratically elected so as to avoid fracturing the CGT”.
Moyano remains strongly supported by the Truck Drivers Union, directed by his son Pablo Moyano. June’s demonstrations displayed that this support is critical, given the wide-reaching effects of truck drivers’ strikes
If no compromise is reached before the October elections, the internal fractions could be formalised. If this occurs, the contending groups will both present themselves before the court to determine the legality of their respective CGT branches.
Moyano, nevertheless, continues to insist that there is “only one CGT.”
Frankly, I’ve never understood the link between government and unions here. What say does any government have in any union? Are unions part of the government? Or what?