ADEOMS union group in Salto rejects layoffs and calls for more marches
The ADEOMS union group in Salto took to the streets again to demand that the dismissals of 291 municipal employees not be carried out. With banners and slogans of unity, they denounced political persecution and promised to maintain the pressure with more protests.
Context of the conflict
The demonstration took place on Monday the 22nd in the city center, led by ADEOMS President Juan Carlos Gómez. In a statement, the union affirmed that jobs and acquired rights "are not negotiable, they are defended," and emphasized that the mobilization is part of that defense.
Accusations against the Salto Municipality
On social media, the union denounced the Mayor's Office 's push for a "false narrative" to discredit workers. "Never has a departmental government made such an effort to sow hatred and rejection," they noted, referring to the administration of Carlos Albisu. According to ADEOMS, political revenge is behind the decision to dismiss 291 employees.
Union demands and social response
With the slogan "No one is saved alone, the struggle is collective," the ADEOMS union group in Salto called on neighbors and other unions to join the cause. The mobilization included chants and banners with messages in defense of labor dignity and worker unity. The leaders warned that the measures will continue until the decision is reversed.
Announcement of new protests
The union announced that if the municipality doesn't back down, they will continue to take to the streets. "We will respond to each attack with dignity and struggle," Gómez stated. They also emphasized that their strategy will be to sustain the protest with more marches and joint actions with other workers' organizations.
History of the union conflict in Salto
The relationship between the Salto City Council and municipal workers has been strained for several periods. ADEOMS has been a key player in defending labor rights, demanding wages, working conditions, and stability. The current discrepancy is the number of layoffs: 291 employees affected, making the conflict one of the largest in recent years in the department. For the union thugs, the measure threatens the sustainability of dozens of homes and sends a message of discipline toward the unions.
Political reactions and positions
The criticism wasn't limited to the union level. National opposition leaders accused the departmental government of using partisan criteria to determine dismissals. The ruling party, however, maintains that the administration must correct irregularities and "put its house in order." In Montevideo, legislators aligned with the workers demanded parliamentary reports , while local leaders in Salto supported the protests, reinforcing the political dimension of the conflict.
Social impact of municipal dismissals
The potential dismissal of 291 employees means that nearly 300 families would be left without a stable income in a city already facing economic difficulties. Local merchants and neighborhood organizations warn that the decline in purchasing power will impact consumption, demand for social assistance, and public trust in institutions. For ADEOMS, the impact is "devastating" and puts the department's social fabric at risk.
The strategy of the ADEOMS union gang in Salto
Far from giving in, the union announced a phased plan of action. It includes strikes, marches in different neighborhoods, and coordination with other organizations in the labor movement. Juan Carlos Gómez, president of ADEOMS, maintained that the path forward will be to "respond with unity and dignity" and that the mobilizations will continue until the City Council reverses its course. The union's commitment is to show strength in the streets and make the demand a central issue on the public agenda.
Perspectives and possible scenarios
The conflict raises several questions: Will the City Council review its position? Will the union succeed in stopping the layoffs? Will the Ministry of Labor intervene as a mediator? For now, neither side is budging, and the climate in Salto remains tense. What is clear is that the ADEOMS union gang in Salto will continue to make demands and that the case will set a precedent for future labor disputes in the country's interior.
