Maia Volcovinsky’s presence at key CGT events, seated in the front row alongside influential union leaders, is not surprising. At just 43 years old, she has carved out a significant role for herself within the country’s largest labor union as the leader of the Union of Judicial Employees of the Nation (UEJN).
Those familiar with Volcovinsky and her work at the UEJN describe her as deeply committed. She began her union activism in her twenties and became involved in Peronism early on. “I never hesitated to join and became engaged in the union’s complaints, such as the fight against merit-based work, which is a form of exploitative labor,” she recalls in an interview. This struggle resulted in setting up a protest tent outside the courts and undertaking a hunger strike, experiences that left a lasting impact on her.
Volcovinsky views this as a significant turning point. “It was a baptism by fire that ended successfully—we managed to eliminate merit-based positions.” Following this, she was asked to be an alternate delegate on the official UEJN list, an offer she accepted right away. Concurrently, she helped establish and led the Youth Committee of Judicial Workers. In 2014, she was elected as the secretary of administration and, by 2022, she had advanced to the deputy secretary of a union that has been led by Julio Piumato since 1991, a prominent figure in labor activism.
Her rapid rise hasn’t been limited to the judicial sector. In November 2021, Volcovinsky was elected to the CGT’s governing council. “Her presence alongside Daer, Moyano, Acuña, and Martínez is no coincidence. Volcovinsky has her own personality and knows how to engage with all sectors, from the traditionalists to the independents and the Moyano faction,” notes a respected voice in the Azopardo area. This source supports the idea of leadership renewal, especially in a society that is “very tired” of seeing the same familiar faces.
Being a woman in a predominantly male power structure adds another layer to Volcovinsky’s achievements. She emphasizes that she isn’t interested in competing for space against men. “We shouldn’t clash with comrades; that leads to division and weakens our strength. We should look towards models in Peronism where men and women stand alongside each other, like Perón and Eva.”
She believes it’s vital for new generations to emerge within the CGT, ensuring that women’s voices are elevated and that new leaders who have been working diligently for years are trusted. “Refreshing perspectives lead to broader visions,” she asserts, while also acknowledging that Piumato has always provided opportunities for women.
Volcovinsky is also engaged in national politics. She ran for a national deputy seat in Roberto Lavagna’s 2019 list and calls for the Peronist movement to revisit Perón’s legacy. She is critical of Javier Milei, arguing that he lacks a plan for job creation and shows great insensitivity towards serious social issues. “He needs to listen to the union movement,” she concludes.
Source: https://www.perfil.com/noticias/politica/volcovinsky-la-flamante-cara-del-poder-de-la-cgt.phtml
