This Friday, tension exploded on the campus of the National University of San Martín (UNSAM). A meeting of inter-committees, led by referent Myriam Bregman, brought together workers from the National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA), the CAREM reactor, teachers, students from UBA and UNSAM, high school students, retirees, and neighbors of San Martín. Delegations from La Plata, Mendoza, and Bariloche also joined virtually. The goal: to stop the cuts and layoffs in Argentine science.
The meeting was a hotbed of denunciations. Nicolás, a CNEA worker and UNSAM teacher, opened fire: «On July 1, the government decided not to renew 62 contracts and to lay off colleagues who had been there for years, doing the same tasks as any permanent staff. It’s inherited precarity.» But it doesn’t stop there: CNEA produces key radioisotopes for cancer diagnostics and treatments. «If those lines are shut down, there will be no one to research diseases like dengue or Chagas disease. It’s a fight for public health and sovereignty,» he warned.
A laid-off worker recounted his ordeal: «I developed software for a particle accelerator that treats incurable cancers. Only 8 countries have that technology, including Argentina. On June 30 at 11 a.m., they told me I was out of work, without being able to transfer the knowledge. The project ends in nothing.»
Students also joined the battle cry. Iñaki, a student and physics teacher at UBA, stated: «We must turn the defense of science into a national cause, like the defense of public universities. This government does the bidding of Trump’s imperialism and the IMF.» Valentina, from UNSAM and En Clave Roja, went further: «It’s part of Milei’s plan to have less science, less education. There is anger, a desire to take to the streets, but traditional union leaderships don’t coordinate the defense. That’s why these spaces are key.»
During the debate, creative proposals emerged: Paola, from INTI, called for mass dissemination methods; Eliana, from CNEA, proposed going to schools to explain scientific work. Melina, from Pan y Rosas, stated: «Many unionists say we have to wait until 2027. But here there is fuel to organize now.» Daniel, from the Marrón group, concluded: «Myriam Bregman said on May 1 that we should not waste a day in meeting. From these committees comes the strength to unify struggles and prepare a workers’ government.»
At the end, resolutions were voted to promote a national campaign in defense of scientific and technological sovereignty, against cuts, and for the reinstatement of those laid off. The struggle is just beginning.
Para mí estos zurditos de UNSAM lloran por los científicos vagos que viven del mango del estado. Bregman y sus secuaces siempre defendiendo el curro. Yo creo que Milei tiene razón: hay que cerrar todo eso y poner a laburar a la gente de verdad. Viva la libertad carajo!
Para mí esto huele a traición nacional. Milei es un vendepatria del FMI que quiere enterrar la ciencia argentina. Yo creo que Bregman y los comités de UNSAM son la única resistencia. ¡Ciencia o muerte, carajo! A parar estos despidos como sea.