Pettovello's message amid the dispute with Barrionuevo: "It is not right to lie or pressure, and even more intolerable, to harass"

Sandra Pettovello is evaluating a court filing after reporting pressure linked to the UTHGRA authorities. (Photo NA) Human Capital Minister Sandra Pettovello reported pressure and harassment amid the judicial dispute over the leadership of the Union of Tourism, Hotel and Gastronomy Workers of Argentina (UTHGRA). The official stated that she is considering making a court filing or a complaint to protect her "moral and physical integrity." The claim is related to the recognition of the elected authorities of the union led by Luis Barrionuevo, whose outcome remains under discussion in the courts. The Ministry of Human Capital appealed to the Supreme Court an order that required granting a provisional certification. Meanwhile, the union is planning a demonstration outside the ministry. In a message published this Saturday on X, the minister criticized the actions she attributed to those demanding certification of the union authorities. "Lying is not right, pressuring is not right, and even more intolerable, harassing," she wrote. Pettovello stated that the election of the union's authorities "is under judicial review" and noted that she received pressure to get the Ministry to withdraw the extraordinary appeal filed in the case. "I believe it is up to the courts, and not to pressure from third parties, to resolve the matter," she said. Minister Sandra Pettovello states on the social network X that she is evaluating legal action in response to pressure received over a union conflict linked to Luis Barrionuevo in Argentina. The official linked the announced demonstration to a harassment campaign. "The demonstration that is intended to be promoted, in a context of harassment both personal and through the media, responds to particular interests that have nothing to do with workers' rights," she said. The minister expressed that she will consider going to the courts. "I will analyze the possibility of making a court filing or complaint to protect my moral and physical integrity," she said. She also called for "the incessant pressure and aggression against me to cease." The government's appeal does not directly refer to the approval of the wage increase for gastronomy workers, but rather to the certification of the UTHGRA authorities. That accreditation would allow Barrionuevo to be formally recognized as the union's representative and to intervene in union procedures, including the negotiation and approval of wage agreements. Sandra Pettovello and Luis Barrionuevo had an argument at the Catholic University of Argentina prior to a meeting with Pope Leo XIV over formal approval of the union elections. Chamber VI of the National Labor Appeals Court ordered in September that the Labor Secretariat issue, within five days, a provisional certification of authorities for Barrionuevo. The Ministry of Human Capital filed an extraordinary appeal with the Supreme Court to have that decision reviewed. The government maintains that the certification should not be resolved by the Labor Secretariat while there is a judicial dispute over the election results. The controversy includes the challenge to the list headed by Barrionuevo by the Gray/Orange faction, led by Dante Camaño, head of the Capital branch of the Gastronomy Workers union. Human Capital bases its position on Decree 342, issued in 2025, which limited state intervention in union elections. The rule establishes that the State may appoint an official for up to 120 business days when a union has no authorities and its bylaws do not provide for how to resolve that situation. According to sources from the ministry cited by Infobae, the decree moved disputes over lists, registers, and challenges to the labor courts. "It is not up to the government to intervene in the internal conflicts of unions, and that is why Decree 342 aimed to prevent, as has always happened, judicial matters from being resolved politically," they argued. Minister Pettovello alongside Labor Secretary Julio Cordero Barrionuevo reproached Pettovello for the government's failure to sign the certificate of authorities that would validate his victory in the UTHGRA elections held in December. The union leader argued that the lack of formal recognition prevents the approval of the latest wage increase and affects gastronomy workers' pay, according to Infobae. The argument took place at the Puerto Madero campus of the Catholic University of Argentina (UCA), before a speech by Pope Leo XIV to business leaders, union members, and leaders of social movements. Pettovello responded to Barrionuevo's complaint: "Don't you try to extort me, because things are going badly." Official sources told Infobae that the minister told him he had to request an exception from the courts so that the Labor Secretariat could intervene and approve the increase. From Human Capital they maintain that the lack of certification is not the result of a political decision, but rather of the ongoing judicial proceedings over the union elections. The ministry maintains its appeal before the Supreme Court and argues that the decision must be left to the courts. Barrionuevo's opposition questioned the ruling by Chamber VI that ordered the provisional certification. The lawyers for the Gray/Orange list reported alleged procedural irregularities and claimed that the ruling was issued quickly to prevent challenges against the judges.