The union representing air traffic controllers has declared a series of strikes that will impact both domestic and international flights in the forthcoming weeks, following unsuccessful negotiations with the Argentine Air Navigation Company. The measures, encompassing restrictions on takeoffs and flight plans, will align with the peak air traffic period of the year. The Association of Air Navigation Security and Protection Technicians and Employees has opted to intensify its protest strategy, which commenced in November, following its denunciation of the violation of previously established agreements and the absence of a response to its demands. The union asserts that prior interruptions in cargo aviation did not facilitate meaningful negotiation avenues, prompting their decision to advance with additional industrial action.
Key demands include the reinstatement of workers dismissed without cause at understaffed airports, a review of meal allowances, acknowledgment of seniority, resolution of over 60 outstanding operational issues, and the resumption of collective bargaining. The union has issued a caution regarding the decrease in wages, even in the context of expanding air operations. “Since the current EANA authorities took office in 2024, they have exhibited a marked intransigence and a deficiency in dialogue, not only regarding the resolution of salary issues affecting their workers but also concerning the serious operational challenges that have been consistently highlighted; both matters remain unaddressed,” the union stated in a release.
In response to the workers’ statement, EANA reiterated its commitment to dialogue and the continuation of negotiations. “ATEPSA attempted to unilaterally terminate the ongoing negotiations,” the company stated, emphasizing that no conclusions can be drawn until the meetings are finalized. In the interim, it has been clarified that the Ministry of Labor has arranged a new hearing for Wednesday, December 17 at 10:00 AM, with the objective of addressing the conflict and reducing disruption for passengers.
Chronology of the strikes: The air traffic controllers’ union has announced the following strike schedule — Wednesday, December 17, from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM: domestic flights; Thursday, December 18, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM: domestic flights; Tuesday, December 23, from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM: domestic flights; Saturday, December 27, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM: international flights across the country; and on Monday, December 29, between 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM, all flights across all airports will be affected. The union has specified that the measures will exclusively impact takeoffs, imposing restrictions on ground authorizations and prohibiting the transmission of flight plans during the designated strike hours, while operations related to emergency, medical, humanitarian, state, and search and rescue will be exempt.