The conflict, which kept the fishing sector on tenterhooks for approximately 80 days, left millions and required a reorganization of collective bargaining . It also strained relations between unions, business associations, and the state, with incidents that led to increased patrols at the Capurro port and security controls to prevent incidents. The controversy erupted in the middle of the harvest season , when the union demanded the addition of a crew member to cover for the captain during breaks, while the companies raised concerns about costs and operational sustainability.
The backdrop includes an immediate precedent: between December 2023 and April 2024 , part of the fleet was grounded due to lack of profitability , according to the companies. Then, in May-June 2024 , the union initiated a dispute to achieve an 18% increase in dollars and obtained an agreement with a peace clause , while the State granted temporary benefits (reduction in Banco de Seguros policies and eased permits). According to private sector representatives, these improvements were not enough to cover the agreed-upon salary increases.
In May of this year, the union assembly reopened the dispute in the middle of the harvest season with a request for additional crew. The Ministry of Labor attempted to mediate. However, business sources indicated that the official proposals echoed the union's demands, and they stopped attending meetings, further hampering dialogue. Meanwhile, the Uruguayan Chamber of Fishing Industries (CIPU) took an unusual decision: it unilaterally announced the closure of the dispute and launched its own crew recruitment process through the "Uruguay Pesca" .
The call received more than 9,000 applications and around 400 people with boarding passes . At the same time, some companies began bringing in sailors from their countries of origin to fill crews. An artificial intelligence program interviewed and classified candidates based on experience, with training provided for those who didn't meet the requirements. This move altered a long-standing practice in which the union influenced crew composition.
The situation escalated the risk of friction during shipments . Companies designed security plans, and the National Naval Prefecture intensified monitoring in the port area. Meanwhile, the Executive Branch took note of the impact on employment and legal security , sensitive areas for investment . In this context, it was reported that a businessman in the sector, affected by losses close to US$15 million , contacted the Spanish Embassy to express his concern and request action.
A few days later, a meeting was held between the president and the secretary of the presidency and the leadership of the CIPU . A channel of direct dialogue was opened with the government to expedite a solution. That same day, the maritime workers' union (SUNTMA) unanimously accepted a Ministry of Labor proposal resolving the situation. However, the de-escalation was partial : the chambers rejected a subsequent tripartite meeting, deeming the efforts "unsuccessful" in the face of intransigence , and announced their "new journey" to reestablish the national fishing industry.
Meanwhile, specific incidents persisted. The Solís II , a freezer ship belonging to one of the main companies in the sector, was held up for four hours until the hiring of two unionized sailors was agreed upon. Another ship delayed its departure due to a claim for Christmas bonuses ; after negotiations, it set sail. In the following days, half a dozen fishing vessels returned to sea, some with personnel recruited from "Uruguay Pesca" and others with unionized .
The conflict also generated political tensions . The union movement asked the Executive Branch to analyze the withdrawal of fishing permits due to alleged anti-union behavior, as well as the review of subsidies and benefits for the sector. The Ministry of Industry, in turn, acknowledged that the Spanish embassy expressed concern about the continuation of the conflict, but ruled out considering withdrawing support, highlighting the need to help the fishing industry at this stage. The Confederation of Business Chambers closely followed the case; industries involved in conflict, such as the dairy and meat industries, watched closely for the precedent it could set.
On the operational front, the Coast Guard reinforced patrols drug-sniffing dog checks, and metal detectors at the entrance to the Capurro fishing port to ensure safe conditions for crews and ground personnel. Additionally, protocols aimed to prevent incidents during embarkation and disembarkation, times of greatest tension .
The socioeconomic impact was felt at various levels. First, among workers with formal and informal ties, including those who make a living from odd jobs related to the industry: workshops, transportation, barracks, and cold storage services. Second, among SMEs that depend on the flow of ships and the continuity of the harvest . Second, among households in port neighborhoods and coastal cities, where the money that comes in from daily work determines whether they can afford yerba mate, bread, and milk . The conflict also revived debates about legal certainty , collective bargaining , and the balance between union power and business management .
To date, the solutions achieved allow for the resumption of some operations, but uncertainties : the validation of crews recruited outside the traditional circuit, the implementation of agreements reached, and the eventual judicialization of disputes. Meanwhile, markets and investors are monitoring the evolution of the labor and regulatory climate, key to sustaining employment and exports . In short, the fishing sector is undergoing a gradual normalization collective bargaining mechanisms will address differences and restore predictability to a strategic activity for the country.
