Workers at Buenos Aires Casinos Threaten Strike Amid Stalled Wage Talks
Argentina.– January 28, 2026 – www.zonadeazar.com Casino workers in the province of Buenos Aires are threatening to launch a general strike during the peak summer season due to stalled wage negotiations with the provincial government, marking an escalation in labor tensions within the gaming sector.
Overview
Approximately 3,000 employees working across 10 casino venues in Buenos Aires Province are considering industrial action after rejecting a proposed 1.5 % wage increase offered by the government led by Governor Axel Kicillof. The workers’ union, Asociación de Empleados de Casinos Nacionales (AECN), has said that negotiations remain at a standstill and expressed frustration over the lack of meaningful progress in ongoing paritaria (wage bargaining) discussions.
Union leader Marcos Labrador underscored the absence of further governmental engagement, stating that authorities have neither reconvened talks nor presented alternative proposals. In the context of heightened summer demand for casino operations, the potential strike could pose operational challenges and disrupt entertainment offerings across the region.
Details / Context
The union has criticized not only the limited salary offer but also broader concerns regarding working conditions in the casinos. Issues highlighted include the delay in implementing electronic payment systems inside gaming halls and setbacks in the adjudication of newly licensed casino operations, which union representatives argue have compounded financial and administrative pressures on employees.
Labrador also emphasized additional demands, such as wage recognition for Sunday work at double pay, acknowledgment of the specificities of night shifts, and clearer pathways for career advancement within casino establishments. The union’s stance is rooted in efforts to close the gap between real wage erosion and inflationary pressures, a dynamic that broader labor groups in the province have cited in rejecting low-percent wage adjustments.
Public statements from provincial authorities acknowledged a backlog of six months in rolling out QR-based payment solutions and indicated that integration with the Banco de la Provincia de Buenos Aires remains pending. Authorities also confirmed delays in progressing the casino licensing processes initiated the previous year.
Future Outlook
With the peak tourism season underway, the specter of a strike by casino workers could pose notable operational and economic challenges for venues that remain central to the region’s entertainment and hospitality offerings. Should negotiations remain unresolved, union leadership has signaled that labor action may be imminent, raising the stakes for provincial policymakers and industry stakeholders alike.
The dispute reflects broader tensions within Argentina’s labor landscape, where ongoing inflationary pressures and wage stagnation have prompted unions across sectors to press for more substantive dialogue and outcomes. As the situation evolves, attention will focus on whether authorities and union representatives can reach a compromise to avert significant disruptions.
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