The Americas

Argentina teachers strike, millions of students miss class

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Thousands of teachers march in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Monday, March 6, 2017. Teachers in a nationwide strike have left millions of children without classes in the first serious union conflict for president's Mauricio Macri's administration. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano) (The Associated Press)

A teacher holds a sign that reads in Spanish "National teachers' strike" during a protest in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Monday, March 6, 2017. Teachers in a nationwide strike have left millions of children without classes in the first serious union conflict for president's Mauricio Macri's administration. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano) (The Associated Press)

A high school student protesting along with teachers sit atop a fence in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Monday, March 6, 2017. Teachers in a nationwide strike have left millions of children without classes in the first serious union conflict for president's Mauricio Macri's administration. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano) (The Associated Press)

Authorities in Argentina say that millions of students are missing class in the South American country due to a teachers' strike.

The 48-hour stoppage began Monday. Unions for private and public school teachers are demanding a nationwide salary increase of 35 percent in line with the country's inflation rate.

Provincial governments are offering roughly half that, varying by region.

President Mauricio Macri said his government wants to resolve the conflict. But he's criticizing the strike, calling it a politically motivated move ahead of this year's congressional elections.