The human capital ministry announced on Tuesday the suspension of the air traffic controller strikes that had been impacting both domestic and international flights. The decision follows the government’s implementation of a “compulsory conciliation,” a legal mechanism that suspends the protest and mandates the resumption of negotiations. The ministry announced via a statement that the obligatory negotiation process is set to commence on Tuesday, December 23, at 8 a.m., and will continue for a duration of two weeks. During that period, employees are required to refrain from engaging in any form of protests while both parties convene to address outstanding issues.
The implication is that the remaining strikes outlined in the initial timetable—one set for Tuesday and the other two for the Saturday and Monday after Christmas—have now been put on hold. The strikes were declared on December 15 by the Association of Air Navigation Security and Protection Technicians and Employees, the union representing air traffic controllers, following unsuccessful negotiations with the state-operated Argentine Air Navigation Company. The union was advocating for the reinstatement of employees terminated without justification at understaffed airports, a reassessment of meal allowances, acknowledgment of seniority, a resolution of over 60 outstanding operational matters, and the resumption of collective bargaining negotiations.
In reaction to the strikes, the government, via the EANA, lodged a criminal complaint against the air traffic controllers, alleging that the union breached operational safety regulations by affixing flags to the control towers of Jorge Newbery Airport and Ezeiza International Airport. In the event that your flight experiences any alterations prior to your journey or while you are at the airport, the initial step you ought to take is to verify updates from the airline from which you purchased your ticket. Airlines typically communicate with passengers via email to notify them of any alterations.
One may also visit their website and social media platforms to ascertain whether any announcements concerning flight changes have been made, or to verify the status of one’s reservation on their site or at the Aeropuertos Argentina website here. If your ticket was purchased through a travel agency, it is advisable to reach out to them directly for assistance. Airlines typically provide passengers with the option to rebook their flights at no additional cost or receive a refund for tickets that go unused when flights are canceled or delayed as a result of strikes.