The 1,340 employees of the number 60 bus line in the Argentine capital sought to improve working conditions which had deteriorated since the takeover of the line by the Dota group last year, said union official Angel Peticaro.

Employees had been deducted holidays even when they showed up at work, Peticaro said.

"Given the refusal of management to talk, the strike was the only solution."

Private companies manage the widely-used bus lines of Buenos Aires.

The number 60, which crosses the South American megacity from south to north, has inspired many artists and even a TV series since it began in 1931.