As part of the preparatory meetings of the American Conference of Labour XVI was held in Washington from 16 to 19 May, the Second Meeting of the Working Groups, involving governments, represented by Labour Ministers from different countries Americas COSATE (workers) and CEATAL (employers)

The companion Gerardo Martinez, in his capacity as Chairman of the Trade Union Technical Advisory Council - COSATE-attended meetings and participated actively in the discussions of various topics, lecturing on \ "Social Dialogue in the response to the economic crisis and the Recovery \ "

COSATE delegation accompanied him as the companion Sheila Katz of the CLC in Canada, and Gonzalo Berrón of the Trade Union of Workers of the Americas

The meetings discussed in greater depth the topics identified in the Plan of Action of Buenos Aires 2009, with exchange of experiences, to provide relevant information and studies, and track related hemispheric initiatives, especially the issues of employment and social protection.

In the Government House and the presence of President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner made ​​the formal signing and approval of agreed joint agreement between the Construction Workers Union of Argentina (UOCRA) and the Argentina Chamber of Construction (CAC ), which provides a wage increase of 24% for all categories covered by the Collective Bargaining Agreement n º 76/75, plus four unpaid sums received by the building workers for the duration of the joint agreement which will expire on March 31 2012.

The agreement provides that 24% be segmented into three sections that will be applied as follows: twelve percent (12%) on basic wages in effect at March 31, 2011 to govern from April 1, 2011; six percent (6%) on basic wages for the month of July 2011, which governed from August 1, 2011 and six percent (6%) left on base salaries for October 2011 to govern from 1 November. The increases shown are applied to the different categories of agreement 76/75.
The parties also agreed to establish, for the months of May, July, September and October the four amounts paid no remuneration for all categories.

In the presence of Juan González Gaviola, Superintendent of Labor Risks, Carlos Tomada, Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Security  and Gerardo Martinez, Building Workers Union General Secretary it was entered the Framework Agreement for Prevention and Safety by UOCRA and the Superintendent Office of Labor Risks. 

The aim of the present agreement is to focus more specific actions, education, prevention and safety, on the list of building companies that have the highest accident rates, such information is provided by the Superintendent Office of Labor Risks.  

The entered agreement establishes to carry out joint actions by each jurisdiction and the SRT, with the participation of the workers compensation insurance company  [ART] and the collaboration of the Argentinean Chamber of the Building Industry [CAC] and UOCRA. They are asked to report the accidents for corrective nor penalty measures giving priority to building workers life and health. 

The First Workshop of the Multidisciplinary Team for Decent Work of the Republic of Argentina CGT, headed by Mr. Gerardo Martinez, Foreign Affairs Secretary, was carried out at the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia, on April 18 and 19 2011 The workshop had two foundational objectives, the creation of the First UNI Sectorial MTDW and the first Provincial MTDW in Tierra del Fuego. 

The opening ceremony was carried out in the presence of Rosana Bertone, National Deputy and candidate for Governor in the next elections; Miguel Angel Olivares, CGT Ushuaia General Secretary; Antonio Jara, from Sanitation Workers Union and MTDW Coordinator; Eduardo San Román UNI Global Union Representative (Commerce and Private Services) and Mauro Posada, Building and Wood Workers' International – BWI representative.  

The Strengthening Program of CGT Team for Decent Work is supported by the International Labour Organization and, within the framework of ILOActrav Lima Program, it was possible to include International Trade Union Confederations issues (Global Unions). 54 Union leaders from Ushuaia participated in the meeting: Sanitation Workers Union [ATSA]; Graphic Design [FATIDA]; Building Workers [UOCRA], Municipality Workers [SOEM]; Civil Personal Union of the Nation [UPCN]; National Social Security Administration (ANSES) Union SECASFPI; Argentine Teachers Association [UDA]; The Sportive and Civil Workers Union (UTEDYC); Judicial Workers, Paper Trade Union [APEL]; Sanitary Works Union – FENTOS- Civil Personal of National Defense - PECIFA- SMATA. Decent Work, Global Jobs Pact, Health and Safety, Collective Bargaining and ILO´s Conventions were deeply analyzed during the two days. For the first time, there was specific training on UNI and BWI International Trade Union Confederations  what brought about the creation of the first UNI Sectorial MTDW.  
MTDW team consisted of Marita González, Antonio Jara, Pablo Topet, Mauro Posada and Eduardo San Román. 

By the end of the second day the Ushuaia MTDW evaluated the prior issues for the City, focusing on Employment Policies, Labour Market, Informal Economy and Unregistered Job, Health and Safety at Workplace, Youth, Migrations and Mercosur. UNI Trade Union members committed to call all the UNI affiliated Unions in the Province and focus action on unregistered employment, Workers Training and Professional Training in order to develop actions to internalize UNI mission in our country.