BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Much of Argentina came to a standstill Wednesday as a strike to protest government austerity measures grounded hundreds of flights, halted bus and train lines and forced the closing of banks, courts and many schools. Those include the firing of workers and the slashing of government subsidies that have shot up the costs of transportation and utility rates. Union leaders said it was the largest strike that they had organized since Macri took office in 2015 promising to end poverty and tame high consumer prices. “This is what happens when a government is not in the party of the union leaders.” The government says that the stoppage is a political measure by union leaders who aspire to public office. Most union leaders have backed Cristina and Alberto Fernandez.

Source: National Post May 29, 2019 18:11 UTC