Sudamericana de Lácteos Revival Stalls Again Amidst Buyer-Union Accusations

A critical agreement intended to revive Sudamericana de Lácteos, a dairy company that has been paralyzed since January, has once again fallen apart. This latest setback is attributed to a new dispute between the prospective buyer, businessman Pablo González, and the dairy workers’ union, Atilra. The failure to reach a resolution leaves 78 employees without wages for over four months and raises serious doubts about the future of the Santafesina firm.

The Path to Agreement, and Its Collapse

Just a week prior, González and Atilra had reportedly reached a preliminary accord aimed at unblocking the sale of the company. This understanding was expected to be formalized on Tuesday. However, the signing ceremony did not take place, with both sides now leveling accusations of broken promises and unmet conditions.

Pablo González, the businessman interested in acquiring Sudamericana de Lácteos, expressed his frustration, stating that he is now considering withdrawing his offer. According to González, the union introduced new demands and obstacles at the last minute. He claims that Atilra initially insisted on multiple revisions of a power of attorney document required for him to sign the agreement. He further alleged that the union then imposed an ultimatum, demanding payment guarantees for their associated funds—the Association of Mutual Personnel of the Dairy Industry (Ampil), the Social Security of Dairy Industry Personnel (Ospil), and Atilra itself—backed by mortgage guarantees and financial endorsements. González views this as a “new requirement” that derailed the entire deal, arguing that these funds should not receive preferential treatment compared to other creditors with whom he has already restructured debts.

“Unfortunately, it wasn’t signed yesterday. The union people didn’t show up, and I’m evaluating withdrawing my offer to put an end to this whole situation,” González told Clarín Rural. He added that the union’s actions, including demanding a “plan for debt regularization” with substantial guarantees, were akin to “extortion” and a departure from the agreed-upon terms.

Union’s Counterclaims

Atilra, through its Galvéz section secretary general Nicolás Garnero, presents a starkly different account of the events. Garnero maintains that González was fully aware of all the documentation and guarantees he needed

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