Dismissal of officials in Salto: protests, complaints, and police presence
The decision to dismiss nearly 300 municipal workers lit a fuse in Salto. Garbage trucks were detained, reports of assaults were filed, and an urgent call from ADEOMS (Defense Forces of the Workers' Party) was issued.
The morning began with tension in Solari Park, where a group of workers and those laid off gathered to protest the City Hall's measure. A line of garbage collection trucks formed on Gutiérrez Ruiz Street, attracting the attention of neighbors who recorded the scene and posted it on social media.
Solari Park and Garbage Trucks
According to witness accounts, a driver reported being attacked when he tried to get into his vehicle. A video also shows someone attempting to deflate a truck tire. At that moment, the president of ADEOMS, Juan Carlos Gómez , appears in the recording gesturing to discourage any retaliation against the vehicles.
ADEOMS Jump and public call
The union announced a press conference for today at 5:30 p.m. at its headquarters at Brasil 380. The intention, they announced, is to state their position on the dismissal of officials and the incidents that occurred in recent hours, as well as to inform them of the next steps.
Salto Police, complaints and damages
Following reports of damage and assaults, the police arrived at the gathering point and intervened. The municipality, in turn, filed complaints with the Ministry of Labor and the Police Headquarters. The presence of patrol cars helped prevent the escalation from escalating into larger clashes.
Political and administrative context
Among those present were former municipal officials who are also among those affected by the ruling. The Mayor's Office maintains that the direct appointments from the previous administration were converted into permanent contracts through an agreement that was late, and that is why it decided to reverse the situation. On the other hand, those affected are demanding job security and questioning the procedure.
Impact on services and community
The focus of the protest was the Recolección sector, a key area for the city's daily operations. So far, there has been no widespread stoppage, but uncertainty persists. Residents in the area expressed concern about possible service delays if the conflict worsens.
As morning drew to a close, the atmosphere remained charged. With ongoing complaints, videos circulating, and a union conference on the agenda, Salto is experiencing a day in which politics, labor, and security once again intersect on the streets.
The background to the measure goes beyond today's incidents. The dismissal of officials in Salto is part of a long-standing discussion about the way staff are hired in Uruguayan municipalities. In this case, the current administration believes that the contracts established at the end of the previous term were not legally guaranteed, which led to their immediate reversal.
ADEOMS, however, has a different approach: the union maintains that the workers were "hostages of political decisions" and that the mass dismissals constitute a setback in terms of labor rights. Union spokespersons stated that they are not ruling out measures of struggle, including strikes or demonstrations in the city center.
In the political arena, the local opposition accused the mayor of acting with a "lack of social sensitivity" and of creating unnecessary conflict in the midst of an economic crisis. The ruling party, however, supports the decision, arguing that legality and the responsible use of public resources should be prioritized.
Analysts consulted agree that legal action is imminent. Several of those affected are considering taking the matter to court to demand recognition of their contracts. Meanwhile, the Salto community is concerned about the possibility that the tension could affect essential services such as waste collection, in a department already grappling with financial and structural problems.
