Argentine Air Travel Disrupted by Union Strike

A 48-hour strike by state workers will disrupt air travel in Argentina this Thursday and Friday. The action, called by the Asociación Trabajadores del Estado (ATE) union at the Administración Nacional de Aviación Civil (ANAC), will halt operations during specific time slots, though flights already in progress, medical flights, and official flights will be exempt.

According to a formal notification sent to the Secretariat of Labor, the union will maintain services for flights in development, as well as sanitary and official flights. The union's national council stated that, despite time passing and discussions held, the demands presented continue without a concrete response.

Strike Schedule and Exemptions

The industrial action will follow a set schedule of operational interruptions on both Thursday, September 3, and Friday, September 4. The work stoppages will occur during two specific time windows each day.

The union detailed that the measure will include mobilizations and assemblies. The formal communication was processed through the official channels of the Dirección General de Infraestructura y Servicios Aeroportuarios.

Union Demands and Leadership

The strike is in pursuit of several key demands from the ANAC workers. The union is calling for the payment of salaries with agreed-upon increases in non-collective bargaining items and the immediate opening of sector-wide collective bargaining negotiations.

Further demands include securing financing for operational tasks within the Servicio de Salvamento y Extinción de Incendios (SSEI), which handles rescue and firefighting, and for oversight functions at airports. The demands were outlined in a document signed by the union's general secretary, Rodolfo Aguiar, and deputy general secretary, Mercedes Cabezas.

Official Union Statement

Faced with the lack of progress, the union's national council argued it was forced to escalate its actions. In its official letter, the council stated, "To date, despite the time that has passed and the proposals made in the various instances of dialogue, the demands made continue without a concrete response."

The state entity therefore argued that it "sees the need to deepen the measures of union action." The strike is a direct result of this stalled dialogue, aiming to pressure for a resolution on the workers' financial and operational grievances.