ARGENTINA: Trimming Labor’s Power

Throughout the reign of Juan Peron, the 6,000,000-member General Confederation of Labor (C.G.T.) has been his chief prop in power. Last week, apparently convinced that the C.G.T. has grown too big for efficient palace control, Peron openly backed a labor split in favor of a new rival union federation.

The new outfit, calling itself the C.G.P. (General Confederation of Professionals), began operation with a staff of ten Education Ministry employees three months ago, has since signed up some 40 professional associations (including astronomers, accountants, librarians, lawyers). Its goal is to corral 1,250,000 members—or virtually all of Argentina’s white-collar workers. In a blunt speech to C.G.T. leaders, Peron warned that they must accept the new federation, and that there will be no wage increases when contracts expire next March. By dividing labor. Peron apparently hopes to hold out against union demands that would set off a new inflationary spiral in Argentina.