A new chapter of the libertarian chainsaw shakes Argentine science. This morning, the National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA) notified the mass dismissal of 170 professionals, technicians, and administrative staff, according to union estimates. The measure, described as «brutal» by the State Workers Association (ATE), sparked a wave of protests that ended with Gendarmerie repression inside the central headquarters in Núñez.
The workers, who received a cold email from Human Resources informing them that their fixed-term contracts would expire on June 30, began to protest peacefully in the hallways. They demanded explanations from the authorities but were met with a disproportionate security operation. Gendarmerie officers advanced with batons against the employees, while a terrified woman shouted: «Stop it, you sickos!» The video went viral on social media.
The president of CNEA, Martín Porro, remained holed up in his office for hours, afraid to face the demands. Finally, he was escorted and removed from the premises amid boos and insults. «There is no criterion whatsoever; area managers did not make the decisions. No one understands how the situation arose. We are inside the central headquarters waiting for someone to give us an explanation,» said Carolina Komar, ATE delegate.
The layoffs were not limited to the capital. At the Bariloche Atomic Center, 62 workers received the notification, while in Ezeiza employees held a «clap-in» in repudiation. In total, 350 contracts were under the same modality, but only a part was discontinued without apparent criteria. «The central headquarters is full, with authorities guarded by Gendarmerie to ensure the dismissal of hundreds of colleagues who work in laboratories and technical areas, when what we need are salary increases,» denounced a worker in another video.
The assault on science is not new. According to the Ibero-American Center for Research in Science, Technology and Innovation (CIICTI), CNEA’s budget has been reduced by 45.4% since Milei took office, and salaries have lost 32.1% of purchasing power. The presidential spokesperson himself, Adrián Ravier, celebrated the chainsaw by highlighting that positions went from 645 to 272, a 57.83% decrease.
The unions ATE and APCNEAN issued a joint statement warning that «the dismissals affect professionals, researchers, technicians, and specialized personnel who sustain critical areas of Argentine nuclear development.» They denounced the «lack of dialogue» and announced the occupation of the central building until all those laid off are reinstated. «No to the emptying, no to the handover,» chanted the protesters, who called for a march this Wednesday at 9 a.m.
Meanwhile, the scientific community watches with concern the dismantling of one of the country’s most strategic agencies. The question hanging in the air: who is going to explain such a labor massacre?
kjjjj 170 parasitos menos me parece genial estos zurdos de mierda siempre llorando la cnea no es un curro para mi ocupan lo que quieran gendarmes bien ahi viva milei carajo
Para mí esto es lo que pasa cuando dejás que un libertario hijo de puta maneje la CNEA. Milei y su patota de fachos asesinos reprimen a los laburantes. Yo creo que hay que ocupar todo hasta que vuelvan los 170. ¡Viva la lucha obrera, carajo!