Cutcsa announced that its service will continue as normal despite the transport strike due to unpaid wages at Copsa.
Although Unott declared a general strike due to unpaid wages at Copsa, Cutcsa issued a statement assuring that it will maintain normal service. However, the union warned that bus service had already begun to dwindle since the evening.
Cutcsa announced it will maintain regular service despite the transport union strike. Photo: Diego Lafalche/FocoUy
Amid a new transport dispute, Cutcsa clarified that it will continue operating normally, despite the general strike declared by Unott (National Union of Transport Workers) in solidarity with the Copsa workers, who still have not received their full salaries.
The announcement came Wednesday afternoon in an official statement. "The services provided by our company will continue as normal," reads the statement released by Cutcsa, addressed directly to its users. They also reaffirmed their commitment to "guaranteeing the normal operation of the service and ensuring connectivity for those who rely on the company daily."
But while the company assures that buses will run as usual, the union has issued a different warning. When contacted by Montevideo Portal, union leader Andrés Martínez explained that the strike has already been resolved and that, in fact, services began to be reduced around 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday. "This is not symbolic. The buses are stopping running," he said.
The root of the conflict lies within Copsa, a company that has been falling behind in paying its workers' salaries. A tripartite meeting was held this Wednesday with representatives from the company, the Ministry of Labor, and the union. However, according to Martínez, there was no progress: "The conclusion was that Copsa has no intention of paying and hasn't even agreed to set a date to catch up next month."
This stance triggered the general strike. Unott stated that, as is usual in these types of situations, no emergency services are planned. In other words, if there is a strike, it's a total strike.
For its part, the union's statement, published on its official website, clarifies that the resumption of service would only occur "starting with the night shifts on Thursday," although this definition could change depending on how the dispute with Copsa develops.
Meanwhile, uncertainty reigns at many bus stops. Although Cutcsa says it will operate as usual, the union warns that car numbers are already dwindling. And between what is said and what is actually seen on the street, the difference could be significant.
This latest episode highlights the fragility of the system when a company fails to meet the basics: paying salaries. It also reflects the impact that business decisions can have on thousands of people, both workers and users who simply want to get to work or return home.
