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Argentina: Support the Fate plant occupation

No evictions, everyone inside. Fate must become a national cause against the mortgage lenders.
 The Left Daily 24 February 2026

Billionaire Javier Madanes launched one of the biggest attacks on the working class amidst the debate over labor reform. Is this blackmail for more profits and precarious working conditions, or is it a permanent closure? We must reject this attack. We must increase our presence at the plant, organize the neighborhood and families, unite the union, garner broad solidarity from other organizations, and prepare to resist any attempt at eviction.

Last week, Fate was found locked and announcing the cessation of operations. As we reported, and as has now been widely reported, the workers decided to occupy the plant in defense of their jobs. The image of the roof bearing the FATE logo, occupied by tire factory workers, has become a symbol of these times. The case has entered the halls of Congress during the debate on labor reform and has been one of the focal points of the general strike.

This is the biggest attempted closure in recent years. Fate is one of the three giants of the tire industry, along with Pirelli and Bridgestone, but the only one that is nationally owned. Javier Madanes Quintanilla, its owner, is one of the richest men in the country, who also has businesses in aluminum (Aluar) and energy (Futaleufú). Many speculate that the measure is a move to achieve an increase in tariffs on imported tires, in line with Milei's "open-market" policies. If this is the case, it would be proof of the consequences of libertarian politics, but also of the parasitism of the "national bourgeoisie," which lives off state handouts in addition to the exploitation of workers.

Whether it's blackmail to extort favors and reopen with fewer workers (something they already did in 1991) or a permanent closure, this is a historic attack. It's one of the largest factories in the country, with over 800 workers who have a long history of struggle and a revitalized union, as well as a neighborhood built around them.

Especially considering that last year the company moved forward with hundreds of layoffs and a more flexible work regime, despite the resistance of the majority of the workers.

On the roof, the assemblies and the encampment
As part of that tradition, the workers responded. Their sit-in at the plant began that same day, near the entrance gate but also on the roof of the main tower. The FATE union's Granate group, along with colleagues from the Red list and independent workers, emphasized the importance of maintaining these tough measures and demonstrating their will to resist the management's attempts at deception.

They have also demonstrated that the plant is fully operational and could resume production quickly.

The workers' assemblies confirmed they will fight for their jobs. Despite being in the middle of the holidays, many workers have already gone to the plant. Families and neighbors, shaken by an attack that affects not only their friends but also their own livelihoods, have also arrived. This Monday, more than 400 people are scheduled to enter the prison, so the struggle will continue to grow. Their entry is preceded by a large festival that included live music, graffiti, speeches, and the participation of hundreds of young people. Nicolás del Caño, Christian Castillo, and other leading figures of the left were present.

However, the employers have obtained an eviction order , which the judge has determined must be "imminent," but no one knows when it will take place. Outside the plant, at another of the gates leading to the Aluar offices, a security detail was stationed.

The national media have had to step in and show what Milei and Madanes, despite their differences, want to bury: the fighting spirit of the working class. They want to resign them to hunger and slavery. The testimony of “Charly” Oroño, who explained why they will continue fighting and greeted his disabled son, moved thousands and summarized the spirit of these fighters: “To my son who is watching, Daddy is here and he loves you very much.”

As in Lustramax or Georgalos in the same area, there are two sides to the divide. On one side, the greed of millionaires and austerity-driven governments. On the other, the future of the working class.

It must be turned into a national cause of resistance
FATE's struggle is now on everyone's lips and could become a national cause. A cause against layoffs, against labor reform, against the attempt to unload their crises onto our shoulders.

The message of “No evictions, everyone inside” must reach every corner of the country. Madanes made millions over the last few decades. He amassed a fortune on the sweat and blood of those workers. If it's not profitable, or not as profitable as he'd like, that's his problem. The lives of the workers, of those families, are worth far more than his profits. As they said in the media, "We're not going to be the unemployed under Milei's government, we're not going to rummage through the garbage, nor are we going to spend our severance pay in a few months." If he wants to produce less, he should reduce the workday to six hours, without cutting wages, so that no jobs are lost. He has a fortune he couldn't spend in a hundred lifetimes, so why does he want to ruin a thousand families and an entire neighborhood? If he wants to close such a productive stronghold, why not nationalize it, put it under workers' control, and put it at the service of the community?

But we know they won't accept a solution that protects workers "out of pure kindness." What's needed is a plan of action by the workers and the union, with the support of thousands and the sympathy of millions.

The Fate workers of the Granate Group (Movement of Class-Struggle Groups) have been at the forefront of the struggle, along with other leaders. Along with denouncing the attack, they have been proposing to the Black List, which controls the union, and to the assemblies a path to force the reopening of the factory with everyone back inside. They are strengthening the occupation with hundreds of comrades and the encampment outside. They are organizing the families and the neighborhood that supports them. They are expanding solidarity not only with combative sectors but also with all unions that reject the Milei-era austerity measures and the CTA's stance (such as the Fresun of the UOM, ATE, CTA, and Oil Workers).

They are calling for a general assembly of the entire union because, despite the blows suffered these past two years, the defense of FATE can unite and mobilize the three major companies. They are also promoting decisive actions in the area and in the City of Buenos Aires. This must be accompanied by the preparation of a major resistance in case of an eviction attempt. Can they carry out an eviction if thousands of workers, neighbors, teachers, and students surround the plant? We don't think so.

From the PTS, our workers' and youth groups, our deputies, we will continue to support this fight with all our strength, because if the FATE workers win we will be dealing a blow to the war plan of Milei and the businessmen.
https://www.laizquierdadiario.com/Fate-tiene-que-ser-una-causa-nacional-contra-los-ajustadores?

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