The train service will operate normally after the government's mandatory reconciliation.

This Wednesday afternoon, the government issued a mandatory reconciliation in the labor dispute between the union La Fraternidad and the country’s main railway companies, which nullified the strike scheduled for Thursday, February 5. As a result, train services today and in the coming days will operate normally, without the disruptions that the announced strike by the train drivers would have caused.

The government’s decision comes after the union announced a “fight plan” in response to the rejection of the economic proposal presented by the railway operators. However, state intervention has suspended the planned actions and established a legal framework for the continuation of service.

How did the train service remain after the government’s decision?

The mandatory reconciliation, effective from 12:00 a.m. on February 5, 2026, according to Law No. 14,786, establishes a 15-day period during which both parties must maintain operational normality. According to the official statement from the Ministry of Human Capital, the parties commit to reverting the situation to the pre-conflict state and ensuring the normal provision of services, avoiding delays, cancellations, or any other impact on users.

The National Government reports that it has served notice to the union La Fraternidad, as well as to the workers it represents, to rescind the planned or announced strike measures and to refrain from any other actions that could affect the usual operation of the service. This measure aligns with the government’s policy of promoting social dialogue as a key tool for resolving labor conflicts.

The real issues: wage loss and lack of maintenance on the tracks

Beyond the suspension of the strike, the underlying concerns that motivated the union protest persist. Omar Maturano, the union’s general secretary, justified the pressure measure by citing erosion of workers’ purchasing power and accused the national government of negatively interfering in collective negotiations.

In statements to radio Splendid AM 990, Maturano said that authorities have limited wage negotiations, forcing workers to accept proposals below their expectations. According to his figures, train drivers have lost between 50% and 60% of their real wages over the past year—a disparity that reflects how the increases granted do not keep pace with rising prices in the economy.

Beyond wage demands, the union has issued serious warnings about the technical conditions of the railway infrastructure. Maturano pointed out that the widespread lack of track maintenance jeopardizes operational safety and the physical integrity of workers. He described a critical situation on freight and passenger routes, where technical limitations force trains to travel at extremely reduced speeds. He even stated that freight trains frequently derail, highlighting the deplorable state of the railway network.

Underinvestment and privatization prospects

The union links the current disinvestment to a possible intention to facilitate private capital entry into the railway system. Maturano warned that the deliberate deterioration of infrastructure is part of a future concession scheme, where private investors could acquire railway assets at significantly lower costs. According to his analysis, a concession becomes more economical when interested parties set the terms of negotiation without regulatory intervention from the state that could protect public interests.

What’s next?: the union warns of future actions

Although the mandatory reconciliation temporarily suspends pressure measures, La Fraternidad does not rule out intensifying its actions if the Ministry of Transport and railway companies do not present improved offers in the coming weeks. Maturano warned that if there are no satisfactory responses to wage and infrastructure demands, they will carry out new protests in March, when economic activity normalizes and students return to school, which would amplify the impact of the interrupted train service.

The union leader concluded by characterizing the overall situation as chaotic, noting that railway assets are being deliberately neglected to facilitate future transfers to the private sector. The tension between maintaining service, workers’ economic viability, and the long-term strategy for railway infrastructure remains unresolved following the mandatory reconciliation decision.

Analysis assistance provided.