UNC Teachers Strike Amidst Ongoing University Funding Dispute in Argentina

National University of Córdoba Teachers Join National Protest

Teachers affiliated with the Association of University Teachers of Córdoba (ADIUC) at the National University of Córdoba (UNC) observed a 24-hour strike on October 21, 2025. This action was part of a broader 48-hour national protest by university staff across Argentina, demanding the effective application of a crucial university financing law and significant improvements to their working conditions and salaries. The second day of the protest, October 22, involved public actions rather than a full strike at UNC.

The Vetoed and Ratified University Financing Law

The central demand of the striking teachers revolves around the implementation of a university financing law. This legislation, approved by both chambers of the Argentine Congress, aimed to bolster funding for public universities and increase salaries for teaching and non-teaching staff. However, President Javier Milei vetoed the bill on September 10, 2025, citing concerns that it would jeopardize fiscal balance and increase spending without identifying clear funding sources. The veto was published as Decree 647/2025. Despite the presidential veto, the Lower House of Congress voted to overturn it on September 17, 2025, with expectations that the Senate would follow suit, fully ratifying the law.

Salary Crisis and Budgetary Constraints

University teachers in Argentina have faced a severe erosion of their purchasing power. Reports indicate a loss of over 40% in real terms of their salaries since November 2023. This has led to a situation where more than 70% of university teachers' salaries fall below the poverty line. The government's unilateral salary increases, such as a 6.8% offer in October 2024, have been deemed insufficient by unions, which have requested increases as high as 63.5%.

The financial strain extends beyond salaries to the operational budgets of public universities. The system has experienced what ADIUC describes as an 'unprecedented' budget adjustment. The budget allocated to the university system currently covers barely 50% of its costs, with student scholarships frozen since August 2024 and research funding drastically reduced. Furthermore, the government's proposed budget for 2026 suggests a potential 31% reduction in university funding. This critical financial situation has prompted concerns about the 'dismantling of the public system of knowledge production' in Argentina.

Broader Context of University Protests

The 24-hour strike by ADIUC is part of an ongoing series of protests and mobilizations by university communities across Argentina. These actions include:

• 48-hour national strikes, such as those held on June 11-12, 2025, and October 21-22, 2025.
• Public classes and open councils to raise awareness about the crisis.
• Marches and demonstrations, including calls for a new Federal University March.

The government's attempts to declare education an 'essential service' through decrees, aiming to limit the right to strike, have been met with strong opposition from unions, who argue such measures are unconstitutional. The university community emphasizes the importance of public education as a cornerstone for national development and demands a firm commitment from authorities to ensure its adequate funding and support.