1962: Chosen as representative to the Mar del Plata division of the national truck drivers' union (Sindicato de Choferes de Camiones). 1962-1972: Appointed secretary general of the Mar del Plata division of the national truck drivers' union. 1981-1983: Acts as secretary general to the Mar del Plata division of the Confederación General del Trabajo (CGT) during Argentina's military junta and is arrested several times. 1983: Democracy returns to Argentina and Moyano is named secretary general of the ruling Partido Justicialista in Mar del Plata. 1987-1991: Elected secretary general to the national truck drivers' union in Buenos Aires. He is also elected as a Partido Justicialista delegate and becomes secretary and then vice-president of the parliamentary transport commission. 1991-2003: Re-elected head of the national truck drivers' union in Buenos Aires in 1991, 1995, 1999 and 2003. During this period he also heads a number of workers' organisations, including: the Federación Nacional de Trabajadores Camioneros, Obreros y Empleados de Transporte; the Unión General de Trabajadores del Transporte; the Movimiento de los Trabajadores Argentinos (MTA); and, the Confederación de Camioneros del MERCOSUR. 1998: Appointed global vice president of the road transport division of the International Federation of Transport Workers, based in London, and becomes president of its committee for Latin America and the Caribbean. 2003: Elected secretary general of the Confederación Argentina de Trabajadores del Transporte, whose legal status was restored by president Néstor Kirchner in 2003 after its suppression by the military junta in 1978. 2005: Appointed secretary general of the CGT, a position he still holds in 2008. Strengths:
Moyano's power, resources and contacts are considerable. Having initially threatened to cause problems for Fernández last November when he warned that he would "cross to the other side of the road" if the government failed to respect workers' rights, Moyano subsequently opted to cooperate closely with the president. This decision has proved fruitful for both sides, with one of his recent achievements, a 19.5% wage increase for truck drivers. His government allies also include powerful planning minister Julio de Vido.
The alliance between the government and Moyano was recently underlined in a big public event held on 5 March to celebrate his 20-year-anniversary as leader of the truck drivers' union. Fernández, who was guest of honour, publicly thanked Moyano for "sustaining the [country's] economic, social and cultural model", a reference to his decision to moderate the CGT's salary demands, asking for a 19.5% increase, less than the 20% ceiling favoured by the government .
The CGT already receives up to US$10m each year from the state. Moreover, during Kirchner's government, Moyano accumulated power independent of the union as a shareholder in a large transport company. Weaknesses:
His close ties to the government are a mixed blessing for Moyano. While his proximity to decision-makers has allowed him to achieve substantial union gains, some suggest that his independence as a union leader may be compromised. Moyano could find himself in a difficult position if his union loyalties come into conflict with government policy while his hunger for power may distance him from the workers he was elected to represent.
He has also been accused recently of having had links with a division of "Triple A", a far-right organisation responsible for hundreds of deaths between 1973 and 1975. In a trial investigating "crimes against humanity" committed by "Triple A", Carlos Petroni, former leader of the Partido Socialista de los Trabajadores (PST), accused Moyano of having weekly meetings with the head of the Mar del Plata division of "Triple A", the Concertación Nacional Universitaria (CNU).
Petroni said that he did not know if Moyano was directly involved in any crimes, but offered the court evidence that the unionist had both known of killings and cooperated closely with the group. The accusations remain unsubstantiated.
Prospects:
Moyano was one of the first open supporters of former president Néstor Kirchner in his attempt to be elected president of the PJ in the party's internal elections in May. Reports that Moyano is after one of the four PJ vice presidencies suggest that he has his sights set on political power, and is playing a shrewd game to get it.
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