Argentina airport strike: What passengers need to know about ATE’s action

Argentina’s state workers’ union ATE has called a strike for Thursday and Friday, putting flights across the country at risk of delays, rescheduling or cancellation.

The action will involve assemblies and demonstrations during two key periods each day, from 9 a.m. to noon and from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. ATE Secretary-General Rodolfo Aguiar urged passengers traveling during those windows to contact their airlines and check whether their flights would operate or need to be rescheduled.

ATE said only medical, humanitarian, organ-transfer and official flights would be guaranteed. Commercial services that do not involve those urgent categories could be disrupted. “If there are delays or cancellations, it will not be the workers’ fault. We announced the action early enough for the government to respond to each of our demands, and that has not happened so far,” Aguiar said.

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Only medical, humanitarian, organ-transfer and official flights will be guaranteed.

The union says the dispute stems from salary payments owed to workers at the National Civil Aviation Administration, or ANAC. It accuses the government of failing to honor collective bargaining agreements and of underfunding airport operational and inspection areas since January. ATE is also demanding salary increases for items outside the sectoral agreement, the reopening of sectoral negotiations, and funding for airport rescue and firefighting services and inspection work.

Passengers can check arrivals and departures on their airline’s official website or on the official Airports Argentina website. Airlines may also issue alerts or send emails when delays or cancellations occur.

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If there are delays or cancellations, it will not be the workers’ fault. We announced the action early enough for the government to respond to each of our demands, and that has not happened so far.