Paro en Mendoza (Work Stoppage in Mendoza)

This has been a regular thing for years in Argentina…a paro, or strike, by some sector of the work force or even university students.

If it is one thing that Argentines are vocal about (other than fútbol) it is their government–generally, how bad, how un-transparent, and how corrupt it is. When things get too bad, out come those affected with their signs, their drums, the loudspeakers, and maybe even pots and pans (caserolazo) to bang together for a little extra emphasis.

In this case (yesterday), the teachers of the Province of Mendoza were on strike, complaining of various changes to salary policies and how absences would affect their pay, and so on–all changes that seem to have been made by the provincial legislature without much input from the teachers.

The government, for its part, say they are trying to make the system more efficient and reduce costs.

The riot police were out, just in case, but that sounds way over-dramatic as they were most likely passing the time drinking mate. It was all quite peaceful.