The mayor of Maldonado, Enrique Antía, said this Tuesday at a press conference that the mobilization of the Uruguayan Banking Association (AEBU) planned for February 25 in Punta del Este “it’s out of time and place”, and held his stance of trying stop mobilizationas occurred in a strike by the same union in 2002.
“There are areas where trucks and buses cannot enter”explained the mayor, as a possible method to control the area where the union intends to carry out the strike, on the Friday before the Carnival weekend.
When they answered at the conference that AEBU had planned to arrive at the mobilization in private cars, to avoid this possible restriction, Antía replied that if these “block traffic”, they will be “directed to another place”although he also did not give details about the norm in which he is protected.
Antía also criticized that the trade unionists have not coordinated with the IDM the characteristics of the entry to Maldonado, which in his opinion demonstrates “how little they care” inside.
Constitutional lawyers explained to The Observer what there is no rule that allows to prevent a march or mobilizationas long as it is not violent, lasts for many days, or disturbs a public service such as a hospital or a police station.
Lawyer Martín Risso explained that the arrest of the AEBU march would violate freedom of expression and demonstration. His peer Eduardo Esteva explained that the Organic Law of departmental governments of 1935 allows “an interpretation of the law” due to its antiquity, but in cases like this one of public security It is only allowed to cut freedoms of mobility in cases of public safety.
waiting for a dialogue
The situation occurs in the midst of stalled negotiations between AEBU and representatives of state banks together with the Office of Planning and Budget (OPP), in order to sign a new labor agreement.
The central councilor of the union, Juan Fernández, assured El Observador that the initial date of the mobilization, January 14, was postponed – a date that, in his opinion, would have had more force because it was the first fortnight of January – because a negotiating table, but from the government they did not give in “at any point” at that time. However, Fernandez stated that “If there is a scope for negotiation” or a predisposition to dialogue is shown, the march could be suspended.
