🛑 General strike in Argentina: a day of political tension, paralyzed transport and union conflict

⏱ Reading time: 4 min By Redacción | Updated as of February 19, 2026

📌 A country stopped in the midst of the conflict over labor reform

Argentina is experiencing a day marked by social and political tension. The CGT leads a 24-hour general strike in rejection of the labor reform promoted by the national government. The measure coincides with the debate of the bill in the Chamber of Deputies, which raised the climate of confrontation between the ruling party and the unions.

From the Executive, officials described the strike as "unnecessary" and "harmful to workers", while the labor federation maintains that the strike has a "massive compliance" and that the reform "cuts back on rights conquered."

🚇 Transport paralyzed and services affected

The most visible impact of the strike is felt in transport:

• Trains, subways or buses do not work.
• Airports operate with minimal services, with dozens of flights canceled.
• Taxis and remises work with low availability.

The streets of Buenos Aires woke up with reduced traffic and practically empty stations, a postcard that is repeated in the main cities of the country.

⚖️ Labour reform at the centre of the debate

The project promoted by the Government proposes changes in:

• Compensation
• Contracting modalities
• Licenses
• Working hours

While the ruling party defends the initiative as a step towards the "modernization of the labor market," the CGT warns that it is a "historic setback."

🏭 The closure of FATE aggravates the social climate

The conflict intensified after the closure of the FATE tire factory, which left more than 900 workers unemployed. The SUTNA union blames the government for "lack of industrial policies," while the Ministry of Labor dictated mandatory conciliation to stop dismissals.

At the San Fernando plant, the workers maintain a permanent vigil and denounce that the company "abandoned production".

🔥 A fragile economic scenario

The strike occurs in a context of:

• Fall in industrial activity
• Rising unemployment
• Small and medium-sized business closures

The unions maintain that the labour reform "will deepen precariousness", while the government insists that it is necessary to "reactivate the economy".

🧭 What can happen in the next few hours

• Deputies will continue the debate on the reform.
• The CGT is evaluating new measures of force.
• The Government maintains its position of not modifying the project.

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